American Legion Post 25 member Tom Creehan was one of the 28 volunteers who prepared and delivered Thanksgiving dinners to needy residents.

Becky Pierson said the American Legion Post 25 Thanksgiving dinner donation was a miracle.

Chris Franklin typically spends his Saturdays working out and lifting weights.

This Saturday the Clovis High junior did some lifting, but instead of weights, he was lifting spirits for the holidays by delivering Thanksgiving dinners to needy residents.

“It’s important because everybody deserves a good holiday,” he said.

To residents such as Becky Pierson, he was delivering a miracle.

With a 12-year-old son diagnosed with cancer, Pierson said the holidays were looking dismal. She has been spending time traveling to Lubbock to visit her son at the hospital and plans to spend the Monday after Thanksgiving in Lubbock with her son.

“It’s been hard,” she said through tears.

Chris and his father, Larry Franklin, were among the 28 American Legion Post 25 members and volunteers who delivered Thanksgiving dinners to local needy families. Sponsored by the Sons of the American Legion Post 25, members distributed 150 boxes containing canned foods and a turkey to needy residents, according to Sons of American Legion Commander Larry Campos.

“ We have a lot of (needy families) here in town and we could donate to the people that really need it,” he said. “We’re all needy, but there’s some that are more needy than others.”

The organization spent more than $3,000 for the dinners, he said.

Campos said the organization raised funds throughout the year for the event. This is the event’s sixth year, he said.

The Franklins spent about four hours driving around the city to deliver the dinners to selected families. Campos said school district officials gave names of families from five schools in the district. He said 30 families from each school would receive a dinner.

Larry Franklin, a member of the organization for three years, said it was his first time delivering food to families.

“I just like to see the smile on their faces,” he said.

Fast facts:

The five schools selected for the Thanksgiving dinner giveaway:

• The Arts Academy at Bella Vista

• Cameo Elementary School

• James Bickley Elementary School

• La Casita Elementary School

• Lockwood Elementary School