Almost nobody wants to wash the dishes after a Thanksgiving feast — especially when 600 people show up. Yet, 71-year-old Jeff Rode has been volunteering to wash pots and pans for all but three of the Powell Community Thanksgiving feasts over the past quarter-century.

“Whatever is needed,” Rode said. “I don’t mind it at all.”

Rode is just one of many volunteers whose work behind the scene helps keep the tradition going. Known for his ability to conquer long-distance runs, including at least one 100-mile race, Rode is used to sticking it out for the long haul.

Humble, Rode spent more time pointing out the “real heroes” of the meal than answering questions about himself. He said new kitchen manager Denise Phillips helps make the kitchen staff feel festive no matter how busy they get. Actually, busy is how Phillips likes to spend her days.

Many know her as a substitute teacher in Powell. However, it’s probably a good bet that she’ll be just as happy to be a substitute on the night custodial staff.

Even though she has been planning the meal for most of the past year, including meeting with meal organizer Bruce Olson for hours-long planning sessions for the past few months and working 12-hour days leading up to serving the food, Phillips turned the tables on Rode’s praise.

“Jeff is the real hero here, not me,” she said.

Olson, a former law enforcement officer, and his wife Vicki took over the meal last year to make sure the tradition continues. He said last year he was a nervous wreck and spent a lot of time on the phone with former meal organizer Frank Roth, trying to make sure he didn’t forget anything. But he felt it was important to step up after nearly 25 years as a volunteer at the dinner.

“I didn’t want to see it go away,” he said minutes before the doors were opened to a long line of hungry neighbors who started lining up at about 10:30 a.m. “We’ve been here since 5 a.m.”

Olson had just finished helping to deliver 80 meals to residents unable to travel to the fairgrounds to join the huge crowd. He said this year they roasted 28 turkeys, two dozen of which were donated by orthopedic surgeon Jimmie Biles, and smashed 230 pounds of potatoes, which were peeled with the help of young volunteers the night before.

This year he was ready for the onslaught, he said, and was trying to simply stay out of the way. Like a merry-go-round of praise, when Olson was asked how he calmed his nerves, he pointed to some of the unsung heroes, like (you guessed it) Phillips and Rode.

He mentioned other volunteers, like Paul and Rosalee Hoeft, who along with fellow parishioners from Powell Church of Christ, have been  volunteers for the meal every year since it started, as well as church and youth groups and Blair’s Super Market owner Jason Foulger, who opened the store that morning to save the day when the meal volunteers ran out of a few supplies.

“It’s incredible how everybody just comes out to help. It’s a group effort ... a really huge group effort,” Olson said. “The Lord provides.”

On the line serving beans and bacon, fifth-year volunteer Dayna Dylan has changed her opinion of the holiday.

“I used to not really care for Thanksgiving, but coming here just makes it all the worthwhile. I look forward to this day all year,” she said as one-by-one she served up the beans.

Just a couple servers over from Dylan was 11-year-old Bentlee Phillips, who was serving gravy for the homemade mashed potatoes. She was one of several youth who helped prepare and serve the meal. Her mom hopes to attract even more youth next year.

“We’ve been trying to get more youth volunteers to come in, and we’ve actually accomplished that this year,” Phillips said. “I want to inspire younger people to come and serve their community.”

When asked who she thought was important to the effort, she, of course, pointed out Olson and Rode.

“They are great guys,” the kitchen manager said, adding she loves cooking for groups. “I’m thankful for the community, the fellowship and getting to have dinner with so many people. I love being with big groups of people.”