Porters Neck community serves Thanksgiving meals to first responders

NEW HANOVER COUNTY (WWAY) — A toast of thanks.   

First responders at station 14 in Porters Neck and 16 in Ogden enjoyed the tradition of Thanksgiving, thanks to the community of Porters Neck.   

It’s part of the “Harvest for Heroes” feast, an initiative created by Porters Neck Country Club to remember first responders all over New Hanover County working on the Thanksgiving holiday. 

Meals were prepared for all eight firehouses across the county and delivered to each station.  

Mandy Shuffler is the club’s membership director and says this is their way of saying ‘thank you’ to first responders.  

“They’re the first ones on any scene, so they take a lot home with them every day, and there’s not much we can do about that, but we can say thank you, and I hope that this warms their stomach as well as their heart,” said Shuffler.  

First responders Patrick Zatorski and Matthew Moore say it’s a gesture that means a lot to them.  

“It’s great getting thought of by the community when we’re, you know, when we’re out here away from our families. It’s always nice to have, you know, have that meal, have sweets, whatever is brought in, doesn’t have to a whole meal, you know, just being thought of is great,” said Zatorski.  

“We have high gratitude for the support and local give from our community, and we receive it every day, whether it’s a holiday or not, so we really love the support we get from the community, and in addition to, we’re glad to be here,” said Moore.  

These first responders have full stomachs and full hearts for the love of support they received.