A Kansas businessman is brightening spirits and continuing a 21-year Christmas tradition by helping provide food to those in need. Even if you have to face your own health problems.
“This is a very special time. And we couldn’t do all of this without the community,” said co-owner Shawn Holiday and wife of Doug Holiday, describing their family tradition. “But our kids, this is what it’s all about. They’ve known since childhood.
Doug and Shawn Holiday open a popular barbecue joint in Lawrence. Kansas in 2004, and that’s when they were first contacted by First United Methodist Church for help.
“Since 2004 we have been doing this on Christmas Eve. This is what we do We come in and get the turkeys, clean them, get them ready to smoke. If the weather is bad The boys and Doug would spend the night here making sure the entire smoking process went perfectly,” Shawn Holiday said as he explained the dinner prep process.
This is the Christmas town where Santa’s elves answer thousands of letters.
Doug Holiday and his family have been serving food to the Lawrence, Kansas community on Christmas Eve for 21 years. (Shawn Holiday)
This year marks their 21st year helping prepare food for the church. In the two decades since they started, Doug says they’ve cooked more than 1,300 turkeys and fed more than 20,000 people.
“I think that’s a pretty good record,” Doug said with a chuckle.
But this year has been tougher than most for the Holiday family.
Doug Holiday, a three-time cancer survivor, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in early 2024.
“You just have to move forward. I had another cancer in 2014 and we did the same thing, my kids were hurt… I have three sons Now they’ve grown up. And they all came back and helped. And it means a lot to me,” said Doug Holiday, fighting back tears.
Just in time for Christmas, husband receives miraculous ‘GODWINK’: ‘Completely healed’
Doug Holiday, a three-time cancer survivor, is continuing a 21-year family tradition of giving back to the community. Even though he’s battling prostate cancer. (Shawn Holiday)
Doug Holiday has battled lymphoma and non-Hodgskin skin cancer in the past.
Although he struggles with health problems But Doug says this tradition with family and community is what he looks forward to most every holiday season.
“It means the world to me. It’s really meaningful. And it made it very special for me. (Share this with his family) I can’t explain it. It was a very emotional time,” Doug Holiday said.
Shawn Holiday said the need for food continues to grow in the Lawrence community and she is always amazed by the support they continue to receive year after year for the event.
3 cities in the US that attracts tourists during holidays and Christmas celebrations
Biggs BBQ owners Doug and Shawn Holiday continue the family’s 21-year tradition of cooking turkey for the Lawrence community, even as Doug faces a battle with prostate cancer. (Shawn Holiday)
“The demand seems to keep increasing. In the past few years So it’s really good. That everyone comes to help people who need it. I mean We have things In our personal lives that are, you know, off to the side, but even if Doug is sick he will never let the community down,” Shawn Holiday said.
Shawn adds that even their customers have joined in giving the holiday over the years.
“We have customers who come in and drop off bags. And they brought in donated turkeys for community dinners. I mean, it’s a whole project that everyone does. And it was truly an amazing experience,” Shawn continued.
The Holiday family has been gathering and cooking turkeys for the Lawrence, Kansas community since 2004. (Shawn Holiday)
“It shows the amazing people who live in Lawrence, Kansas, and how everyone can come together and help each other. And that’s what’s great about the whole thing. That’s the neat thing about Lawrence, Kansas,” Doug Holiday echoed his wife.
Doug says what makes it all even more special is that he gets to see his three grown sons, Seth, Jacob and Ben, still show up every year and continue the family tradition.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“All the boys have grown up. What’s amazing is that when we first started this in 2004, it could take 4 to 5 hours for us to prep the turkeys and get them ready for smoking. And now they are taking less and less time. To grow up,” Doug recalls.
“It is very satisfying for me to know that my son cares and wants to help. It is something I look forward to every year.”
Anyone wishing to donate to a community dinner can donate to First United Methodist Church of Lawrence, Kansas or the American Cancer Society.
Fox News Digital’s Brooke Curto contributed to this report.
Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. Tips, stories and ideas can be sent to stepheny.price@fox.com
