The 11th Annual Raul Jimenez Thanksgiving Dinner
For the past ten years, Alpha Media USA, has partnered with The Raul Jimenez Thanksgiving Dinner to raise awareness of the needs for this important, long-standing San Antonio tradition. Alpha Media San Antonio’s News/Talk Station is the host of the Radiothon, with support from the entire cluster of Alpha Media Radio Stations, raising funds to support the Jimenez Thanksgiving Dinner. Alpha Media along with support from our amazing sponsors and the San Antonio community have raised upwards of $120,000 in recent years.
The radiothon will be hosted this year on Friday, October 13, from 5am to 7pm in the comfort of Alpha Media’s new, state of the art, live event venue “The Alamo Lounge.” Volunteers show up bright and early to man the phones, and all kinds of “who’s who” show up as special guests to support the cause and challenge the community to participate. Hourly local business sponsors also arrive on the scene and challenge other business leaders to step up and participate. It is a lively, fun-filled day… exhausting and very rewarding! A day we rally all of San Antonio to support those truly in need.
Welcome to the 39th Anniversary of the
Raul Jimenez Thanksgiving Dinner
Our Purpose and History
During the holiday season, many senior citizens are alone and cannot afford to prepare a holiday meal for themselves. In 1979, San Antonio restaurant owner and businessman, Raul Jimenez, recognized this need in his community and established a Thanksgiving Day event designed to serve these forgotten individuals.
Now in its 38th year, the Raul Jimenez Thanksgiving Dinner continues to provide senior citizens and less fortunate a place to enjoy a hot and nutritious turkey dinner with all the trimmings on Thanksgiving Day. Held at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in downtown San Antonio, the event invites seniors to dine at a “community dinner table”, celebrate the holiday with their peers, and enjoy live music and entertainment.
The Dinner currently serves over 24,000 senior and needy citizens from San Antonio and the surrounding areas and has grown to be one of the largest Thanksgiving benefits in the country.
Our Community
The Raul Jimenez Thanksgiving Dinner is a San Antonio tradition that brings the whole community together.
Over 4,000 volunteers work to make this event possible. Volunteer Committee Members assist with project management and the coordination of transportation, food preparation and service, beverages, decorations, event-day volunteers, entertainment, security, and clean-up.
Community and corporate volunteers assist with food preparation event week. Area school districts contribute student-made table decorations and hundreds of students help decorate the convention center. On Thanksgiving Day, volunteers gather to greet dinner guests, prepare and serve meals, and clean up at the end of the day.
Program Partners (Thanksgiving Event)
This tradition is only possible with the assistance of corporate sponsors, foundations, local businesses, and private donors. Currently over 50 area companies provide goods and services to this worthy cause.
Last year, underwriters for the event included Wal-Mart, Valero Energy Corporation, The RK Group, Starbuck’s, CPS Energy, Tesoro Energy Corporation, Floor & Décor and Whataburger to name a few.
Sprint also provided free long-distance phone calls on Thanksgiving Day for all dinner guests wanting to reach loves ones throughout the United States and Mexico.
The City of San Antonio, a sponsor of all 38 years, contributes the use of the Convention Center exhibit halls and kitchen facilities needed to host the event.
Other sponsors include Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and Big Red who provide beverages.
Local musicians also donate their talents to provide live entertainment for our dinner guests.
Media
The San Antonio media plays a tremendous part in inviting Dinner guests, recruiting volunteers, and generating community financial support. All major English and Spanish print and electronic media provide story coverage throughout the month of November with special focus on Thanksgiving week.
Event Food Facts to feed 25,000 Individuals
Turkey – 9,400lbs
Stuffing – 6,250lbs
Green Beans – 6,250lbs
Yams – 4,688lbs
Cranberry Sauce – 4,688lbs
Gravy – 650 lbs
Dinner Rolls – 25,000
Pumpkin Pies – 3,000
654-5151 ENGLISH DONATIONS NOW
654-5201 SPANISH DONATIONS
DONATE ONLINE @ KTSA.COM
