Carving turkeys is something Lionel Peoples is accustomed to doing every year on Thanksgiving Day.

But not for his own household.

He’s been cutting up birds for years as a volunteer at the North Whidbey Community Harvest but hasn’t heard the phone ring yet to request his services.

“I’m assuming they’re going to let me slide this year,” Peoples said.

“This is the first year I might be able to sit down with my wife and enjoy it.”

About 400 volunteers will be giving up part of their holiday to help serve the North Whidbey community at the 16th annual event Thursday at the Oak Harbor Elks Lodge.

About 3,000 people are expected to come for the free Thanksgiving meal, which will be served from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Many volunteers such as Peoples come back every year, warmed by the experience of lifting others’ spirits.

They help with carving, serving, greeting, cleaning up, delivering meals — whatever is needed.

“Volunteering and seeing where I’m needed, I get a joy out of that,” said Peoples, who’s retired from the Navy and has lived in Oak Harbor since 1958. “That began with my family. That’s what my family did.”

Bringing together the community for a free hot meal served on fine linen tablecloths with silverware and real plates on Thanksgiving Day was the vision of Keith Bartlett and Jack Stilz. Bartlett, a former Oak Harbor restaurant owner, died of a heart attack in 2004 while preparing food for the event.

“He used to say, ‘We don’t care if you drive up in a Rolls Royce or walk through the door, all are welcome,’” said Skip Pohtilla, president of the event. “Our primary desire is that we provide a great experience and a Thanksgiving meal for everyone who joins us.”

Pohtilla and his wife K.C. have helped organize the event since the second year, joining a core group that includes Scott Fraser, chef and owner of Frasers Gourmet Hideaway.

The Pohtillas’ children and grandchildren also have pitched in over the years.

“It’s kind of a family thing,” Skip Pohtilla said.

It’s not uncommon to find Island County District Court Judge Bill Hawkins serving mashed potatoes or turkey at the event.

He’s been helping for years, sometimes accompanied by his wife Belinda.

“I just love doing it,” he said. “You see people from all walks of life sharing a table.

“Given what I do for a living, I encounter a fair number of people that get a kick out me serving food. It’s one of those things that builds community. It really does.”

Dale and Patty Folkestad of Coupeville have been volunteering for about 10 years.

Their 8-year-old grandson will be joining them this year.

“We believe you should give something back,” Dale Folkestad said.

“It’s such a great evening. We run into a lot of people we may not have seen throughout the year.”

n Those unable to attend the event may also arrange for meal deliveries. The request line is 360-240-0175. Leave your name, telephone number and brief message.