They don’t have to do it.
They don’t have to do any of what they do.
Not the annual fundraiser for Hope for Hines. Not the Dine to Donate events. Not the benefits following sudden deaths or accidents, and they don’t have to honor local military veterans or the region’s first responders.
But they do. In fact, the folks at Quaker Steak & Lube at The Highlands seem to never stop searching for avenues to help the Upper Ohio Valley community.
Ozzie Hyde is the general manager and Christine Thomas serves as the eatery’s marketing manager, and for Thanksgiving they, along with The Lube’s staff, offered a free buffet for military veterans, active personnel, and first responders.
They also gathered volunteers to deliver large meals to local organizations, including the Ohio County 911 Center, the Wheeling Fire Department, and the Wheeling Police Department.
“It’s what we do,” humbly said Hyde. “All of those people have done us a service, so we try to say thank you when we know they still have to work.”
Instead of The Lube’s great wings, burgers, and sandwiches, Hyde and his staff prepared roasted turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, macaroni with meat sauce, kielbasa, and a few other sides for The Lube’s free buffet between 11 a.m.-2 p.m., and that also was offered first responders on duty this Thanksgiving.
“It’s something we started several years ago because they all come here to eat with their families and friends when they are not working,” explained Thomas. “Whenever we need them, they show up, so it makes sense to us. The first responders usually cook for themselves during their shifts, so we offer the food so they can relax and not have to worry about it.
“Hopefully, the first responders have a quiet Thanksgiving,” she said yesterday. “We have had some years when they didn’t get to eat what we delivered until after they got back to their stations, but at least the meal was there when they did.”
Quaker Steak & Lube at The Highlands will offer similar tributes during the Christmas season. “I agree with Ozzie … it’s what we do,” Thomas added. “And all of us are happy to do it.”
