North Myrtle Beach Times Serving our Community and the Grand Strand for over 50 years
The Angel Tree is brimming with requests to stuff stockings and deliver packages filled with toys, sweaters, winter hats, gloves and other items that would delight a child waking up on Christmas morning to find gifts under their tree.
By Kaye Collins
This is the 14th year Open Hearts Community Outreach (OHCO) holds Thanksgiving dinner. It will be held on Thursday, Nov. 27, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Ernie’s Diner, Sunshine Pancake House located at 3944 Main Street in Loris.
The OHCO program has been offering Thanksgiving dinners to the community for the past13 years. It began with a small group of volunteers from a church who aimed to provide a warm meal for anyone wishing to enjoy time with family or meet new friends.
This initiative could not have been realized without the invaluable support of volunteers, community members and local businesses that helped organize a dinner featuring turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy, vegetables, rolls, dessert and coffee or tea for those wishing to connect with others on Thanksgiving Day.
It all began with a small group of volunteers who aimed to unite the community for the holiday. Paper plates and to-go boxes were used which eventually evolved into Ernie Ross opening his restaurant on the holiday to create a welcoming atmosphere, encouraging friendly conversations and a shared sense of gratitude.
Lori Brown and Ross serve as the directors of OCHO, overseeing volunteer coordination, determining the quantity of turkeys required for meal preparation, selecting vegetables and desserts and getting the restaurant ready the day prior to Thanksgiving Day. Each year at least 50 turkeys are donated in which the Men’s Group at Crossway Church deep-fry the turkeys early Thanksgiving Day and deliver to the restaurant.
Individuals who would like to contribute a turkey are encouraged to deliver it to Ernie’s Diner by Thursday, Nov. 20, additionally, cooking oil is required for deep-frying the turkeys. Monetary contributions can be sent to 3609 Pinewood Drive, Loris, S.C. 29569. All checks should be made out to Open Hearts Community Outreach. Alternatively, you can visit Ernie’s to make cash or check donations from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sunday through Saturday. Their Cashapp handle is $OpenHeartsLoris, or you can donate via https://donorbox.org/loris-thanksgivig-2025.
Your donation can make a significant impact. Brown shared that $20 will purchase a turkey, and every dollar is valuable! Here’s how your contribution can help: $10 provides mashed potatoes and gravy, $20 secures a turkey that feeds 16 individuals, and $50 sponsors complete meals for 10 people. “Every contribution aids us in reaching more individuals in need!” shared Brown.
“We are constantly seeking volunteers,” states Brown, “and we are thrilled to continue serving our community for the 14th consecutive year.” Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Brown at 843-516-3642, email openheartsloris@yahoo.com, send direct messages via Facebook Messenger on their official OCHO Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/842627683845910/, or reach out through Lori Anne Brown’s personal Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/lori513/.
“We are excited to be able to serve our community for the 14th year,” said Brown, “we appreciate the volunteers and the community who we depend upon to make this dinner possible each year in making a warm friendly meal available to celebrate the holiday together to share our thanks together.”
“Open Hearts provides all of the funding raised or donated and the volunteers for the Thanksgiving Dinner,” explained Brown, “Ernie is gracious enough to volunteer his place of business and time cooking to make this event possible.”
Each year, they generally utilize 50 turkeys. These turkeys are sourced from private donations and various vendors associated with Ernie’s restaurant. OCHO invites anyone to contribute desserts, whether they are homemade or purchased from a store; any cakes or pies will be welcomed on the Wednesday prior to Thanksgiving, as there is always a high demand for them. Due to storage limitations, it would be ideal to arrange delivery on Wednesday, Nov. 26.
There is no monetary charge for a Thanksgiving Dinner, any and all people are invited to have a meal, take a meal home (limit 5 take-out boxes) and drive through take-out.
The Angel Tree at Ernie’s Diner, also known as Sunshine Pancake House, is set up and prepared to be filled. Stop by and pick an angel to spread some joy to a child this Christmas.
