CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - Every year across the Kanawha Valley, volunteers carry on the tradition Frank Veltri started.

“Frankie was a character. He always had his cigar and his red hat. He was a great guy and really wanted people to feel welcome,” said Cynthia Parsons, a volunteer at the annual Frank Veltri dinner.

Veltri was a businessman in Kanawha County and started with two turkeys and serving 100 people on Thanksgiving Day in 1966.

His labor of love and generosity grew each year, making sure the most vulnerable had a warm meal on Thanksgiving.

Veltri passed away in 2001, but an endowment he left behind lets the warm meals continue being served.

Leading up to the 59th annual dinner, more than 150 volunteers prepared nearly 90 turkeys, 40 hams, 350 pounds of mashed potatoes and h

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