An afternoon together

Just seeing hundreds of smiling faces brought Katie Kutz and Jeremy Roth happiness as they spent Thanksgiving volunteering at the Salvation Army's annual holiday dinner.

The Perryville, Mo., residents were two of almost 100 volunteers at the Salvation Army on Thursday. The organization served more than 300 meals on site, and volunteers delivered about 200 meals to local residents.

"When you ask how someone is doing, they give you a big smile. It just makes you feel really good," said Roth, 24.

Both Roth and Kutz, 22, drove from Perryville with Roth's parents to volunteer for the afternoon.

"Coming here to volunteer makes you realize how good you really have it. You really re-evaluate your life," Kutz said. "These people coming here are so grateful for the smallest things, whether it's a winter coat or a meal -- it really makes you appreciate life."

Estell McClatchey and her son, Glenn, ate their Thanksgiving meal at the Salvation Army. "We come here every year," McClatchey said.

Amber Seyer, who was recently crowned Miss Missouri USA, signed a photo of herself for Estell McClatchey. Seyer was volunteering at the Salvation Army's annual Thanksgiving meal in Cape Girardeau on Thursday.

The Cape Girardeau mother and son don't have family in the area but enjoy spending the day with each other.

McClatchey said she was thankful for many things on this Thanksgiving.

"My son, my pets, my church, the people at the Salvation Army, the beautiful weather -- should I go on?" she said.

After they finished eating, McClatchey said she and Glenn planned to go home and watch football.

"We don't have anything else to do, so we're going home to relax on the couch," she said.

As the McClatcheys ate their meal, the recently crowned Miss Missouri USA stopped by their table to visit.

Miss Missouri -- Amber Seyer of Oran, Mo. -- made several stops in the area on Thanksgiving as part of her "Holiday Hugs, Happiness and Hopes" campaign. She delivered more than 700 cookies to the Salvation Army, the Missouri Veterans Home and the Monticello House in Jackson.

The Salvation Army in Cape Girardeau served more than 300 Thanksgiving meals Thursday and delivered another 200.

A St. Louis-based food service company donated the cookie dough, and the youth group from Guardian Angel Church in Oran helped Seyer bake the cookies.

"This has been the most rewarding holiday I've ever had. It makes you really appreciate what God has given you," Seyer said in between serving food and visiting with those eating a meal.

As part of her "Holiday Hugs, Happiness and Hopes" campaign, Seyer plans to spend every holiday helping others. During the Christmas holiday, Seyer plans to visit sick children in hospitals from St. Louis to Cape Gir¿ardeau.

Seyer's boyfriend, Jason Bahr, of Advance, Mo., also spent the day volunteering at the Salvation Army.

"I've never done anything like this before," said Bahr, 22. "It's nice to help others, and I get to spend time with Amber."

About 100 volunteers helped with the annual Salvation Army Thanksgiving meal in Cape Girardeau on Thursday.

The youngest volunteer was 5-year-old Tanner Smith, who was brought by his father, Scott Smith, a local chiropractor.

This was the second year Smith has volunteered on Thanksgiving.

"It's very rewarding," he said. "It helped me to help others."

Salvation Army Maj. Ben Stillwell said they were overwhelmed with the volunteers who showed up to help serve.

"It's been a three-week effort getting the meal ready for Thanksgiving," Stillwell said.

Volunteers cooked more than 50 turkeys for Thursday's meal.

Stillwell and his wife, Beth, moved to Cape Girardeau from Jefferson City, Mo., about three months ago.

"This is a very warm city, and I don't mean the temperature. People are very warm and friendly. It's a very generous community," Stillwell said.

jfreeze@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 246A