Springfield. IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – In 1972 a young Palestinian-American experienced his first Thanksgiving in America. The spirit of gratitude, hospitality and generosity inspired Ziyad Samara to promise himself if he ever owned a restaurant he would set the holiday aside as an opportunity to show his thanks to a community which has given him so much.

And so, for the 25th year in a row, Sgt. Pepper’s Cafe on Stevenson Drive in Springfield gave away as many as 400 turkey dinners to anyone who came by the popular restaurant with an appetite.

WTAX News spoke with Mr. Samara. He said his team of employees and volunteers began the day at 6am. They got busy preparing dinners of turkey, mash potatoes and gravy, stuffing, mixed vegetables, yams and even a slice of pumpkin pie.

Samara says people come from all over, residents and travelers, young and old, families and single people, many making it a holiday tradition for themselves.