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For 500 families in East Harlem, it would have been a Thanksgiving with out the traditional Thanksgiving dinner. But instead, they received this week a turkey and all the trimmings from the hundreds of volunteers at the Association to Benefit Children.

“Turkey Day in particular is always striking to me how needy people really of something as basic of food in our own city,” says volunteer Marisol Rivera Thurman.

Marisol Rivera Thurman and about 500 other people volunteered with the Association to Benefit Children this year.

“They've made it possible for all of the people who are here today to enjoy Thanksgiving. It's very touching,” said Gretchen Buchenholz, the founder and executive director of ABC.

For months, volunteers held food drives, unpacked and packed boxes of food and distributed meals for families of up to 11 people.

With ABC’s efforts, Arinelis Duran says her family’s Thanksgiving would have been very different.

“It would be quiet at home, sad because we didn't have the turkey or the food that we are getting here. It would be sad for my kids,” says Duran.

Last year, the volunteers handed out canned foods and frozen turkeys to 300 families. This year, the need has increased.

“Without a day like this, where they can receive free food and assistance, I am not sure they would they would have a special family meal,” says Thurman.

Volunteers and recipients alike say they want to celebrate community and family.

“I don't feel like my efforts are insignificant because there are so many other volunteers, I think that connects me to the other volunteers as well because we are part of this bigger network,” says volunteer Chhunny Chhean. “There's so much value in just the idea of spending time with family and friends, with people you love, and that's what I see as the spirit of Thanksgiving.”

So, for spending their time making Thanksgiving possible for so many other families, the volunteers of the Association to Benefit Children are the latest New Yorkers of the Week.

If you'd like to nominate someone to be NY1's New Yorker of the Week, send an email describing their qualifications to: nyer@ny1.com or mail a letter to:

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