By Ruth Ann Ruiz
The Post Newspaper Features Editor
Several men dedicated Monday before Thanksgiving to roasting turkeys for several non-profits scattered around Galveston County in the Lighthouse Charity kitchen.
They spritzed the turkeys with what they called “dudlelu,” Dick Duigard, the founder of Light House Charity Team (LHCT) had given the Cajun basting sauce its playful name. The turkeys spun around for several hours with spritzing taking place periodically. The oven was cooking 30+ turkeys. A thermometer was used to check for a fully cooked turkey before each was taken out of the oven and placed on a cooling tray.
Some of the turkeys were for Galveston County’s Salvation Army to serve their clients. Some were for Bay Area Turning Point to serve the women and children living at the shelter. Some were being roasted to serve Galveston’s first responders. Still more were being prepared to serve at Grace Church in Galveston.
One of the LHCT volunteers, along with his wife, learned that all the cooks at Bay Area Turning Point are off from Wednesday through Sunday during the week of Thanksgiving they decided to step in and do something. Each year they provide turkeys and all the side dishes to help get the families through with fresh food for several days while the cooks enjoy their holiday break.
“It’s the most enjoyable experience of my life when we deliver the dinner,” said the volunteer.
But those weren’t the only turkeys roasted for Thanksgiving 2025. The week before, volunteers at Lighthouse Charities were busy roasting 37 turkeys for the Red Cross, who served up a community feast in LaMarque.
Many hands are needed to contribute to feeding a community of people, and when called upon, LHCT volunteers lend their hands, the equipment, and years of experience in meal prep for large groups.
After Hurricane Ike, while he was working as a police officer with Galveston Police Department, current president of LHCT, John Bertolini discovered the value of a good meal provided by LHCT.
“We ate really well for the first few days—steak, shrimp, lobster—but then they started giving us sandwiches that were only one-third edible,” John said.
After the partially edible sandwich, he found fresh food being served up by LHCT at Moody Methodist Church. Ever since then, he has been hooked on volunteering to help other people through freshly prepared meals.
Bertolini who now works with Galveston County Sherrif’s department took the day off to roast turkeys, and he did it with a smile. It’s something he enjoys doing. He has assigned himself the duty of providing ham, turkey and side dishes on Thanksgiving Day for first responders who can’t find an open restaurant due to the holiday.
It’s all about helping the community, the men all shared. They love what they do in meal prep and love knowing what they do will fill the needs of people across Galveston County while also bringing a little bit of happiness during the holiday season.
