“We believe in supporting the communities we serve,” said Jean Trainor, president and CEO at Veridian. “As long as there is a need in the community, we will continue the tradition.”

Mike Adams, a former Veridian board member, started the Thanksgiving Dinner tradition along with his wife, Leona. Mike passed away in 2001 and Leona in 2006. Their family was honored at last year’s dinner, as it was the first year the original founders of the event were not present.

The free meal includes turkey, mashed potatoes & gravy, dressing, corn, cranberry sauce, rolls, and pumpkin pie. More than 100 volunteers, including Veridian staff and directors, Family Auxiliary #273, UAW Local 838 members, and the UAW retirees will prepare and serve the dinner. Over 700 people are expected to attend.

Reservations are not needed to attend the dinner. Food not used will be donated to the Salvation Army in Waterloo. A nurse from Cedar Valley Hospice will be on hand to provide free blood pressure checks and Clip Art Corner will provide free haircuts.

Veridian Credit Union will partner with Hawkeye Valley Area Agency on Aging again this year to deliver free meals to those who are unable to attend the Thanksgiving Dinner. If an individual is part of the Meals on Wheels program they will receive an evening meal on November 19 in addition to the regularly delivered afternoon meal. Community members and Veridian staff will volunteer to make deliveries to over 300 people throughout Waterloo and Cedar Falls.

Organizations helping to make this event successful are UAW Local 838, Family Auxiliary #273, Gary’s Catering, Johnson’s Bakery, Anderson-Erickson, University Avenue Hy-Vee, Martin Brothers, Myers Cox Paper, Black Hawk Rental, Hobart Sales & Service, Clip Art Corner, The Insider, Waterloo/Cedar Falls Courier, Cedar Valley Hospice, and Hawkeye Valley Area Agency on Aging.

“We are so appreciative to the businesses that support this annual community event,” said Trainor. “Without their generous donations, it would be much harder to make this event possible.”

Veridian Credit Union, founded in 1934 in Waterloo, Iowa, is a not-for-profit financial cooperative owned by its members. The credit union offers a full range of consumer financial services and employs more than 450 Iowans throughout 21 branches. For more information, visit www.veridiancu.org or call (800) 235-3228.

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For Immediate Release
October 31, 2007

Photos Included:
Photo A: Over 700 pieces of pie, donated by Gary’s Catering, will be served during the 2007 Mike and Leona Adams’ Thanksgiving Dinner.

Photo B: The free meal will include turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, cranberry sauce and rolls.

Photo C: Over 200 pounds of turkey is served at the annual event.

Photo D: Nearly 700 people will be served a free Thanksgiving meal during this event.