Staff and volunteers pose for a photo on Christmas Eve at Kims Parkside Catfish Restaurant in Baileyton. The restaurant served a free meal to the community. (Christy Perry for The Cullman Tribune)
BAILEYTON – Every table was full Monday night at Kims Parkside Catfish Restaurant as friends and neighbors gathered to fellowship and enjoy a home-cooked meal. This is the second year the restaurant’s owner, Kim Thomas, has opened her heart and her business to the Baileyton community on Christmas Eve. Santa even stopped by early before heading off for a busy night.
Thomas and many volunteers spent all day cooking 10 20-pound turkeys, at least 12 pounds of dressing and all of the traditional fixings. Meals could be taken to-go, but many chose to eat there and enjoy some time with their friends and neighbors. People brought canned goods and items for the Parkside Outreach Program.
“When I had the idea last year, I was thinking about the people with no place to go or who were alone for the holidays. I still want that, but thought hey, the more the merrier. Christmas is a time of fellowship, visiting and celebrating Jesus’ birth,” explained Thomas. “It’s my way of giving back to this community. Everyone’s been good to me, so it seems fitting.”
The crowd was made up of many who came alone but quickly found acquaintances to join. Perhaps the most important thing about Monday at Kim’s restaurant was that no one was alone. Everyone was smiling and making Christmas memories. Meals were delivered to those who were homebound.
Thomas did not want the event to be about her. Instead, she wanted all the volunteers who came out to help serve, bus tables, cook and support her mission to receive the credit. Restaurant employees, teachers from Parkside School and many others happily gave of their time to help.
JD Smith said, “She wanted to help people, and well, we wanted to help her.”
April Smith, who spent Christmas Eve helping cook turkeys, said, “You don’t get any better than Kim. She deserves all the credit and we are just here because we love her.”
Thomas spoke of her plans for Christmas Day, “I think I might treat myself by sleeping in. I have grandchildren coming tomorrow so I’m not sure how late that will be.”
As for next year, Kim said, “We will be here, Good Lord willing!”
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