MPD officer organizes Thanksgiving dinner for 350: "We thought it would be great to bring people together"

MILWAUKEE -- A Milwaukee police officer returned to his roots in Milwaukee's Riverwest neighborhood on Sunday, November 22nd. The officer, with MPD's District Five, had an idea months ago to serve a holiday meal. And he didn't do it alone.

There's no better way to warm the heart than by serving some warm food.

MPD Thanksgiving dinner

Renee Nickolie and her daughter were first in line to dish it out on Sunday, November 22nd -- serving as volunteers.

Messmer Preparatory Catholic School served as host.

"Traditional Thanksgiving dinner -- turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and all the trimmings that go along with that as well," Todd Willems said.

"We're all working together today and our goal is to serve 350 dinners to those in the community," Milwaukee Police Officer Edward Ciano said.

MPD Thanksgiving dinner

The meal took nine months to prepare.

Officer Ciano cooked up the idea himself.

"Once I approached Messmer, the doors were open and we were well on our way," Officer Ciano said.

Milwaukee Police Officer Edward Ciano

For Ciano, it made sense to have the dinner at his elementary school Alma Mater.

"To see those people that I serve in the community as a police officer, to see people that I grew up with in the neighborhood, because I grew up in the Riverwest neighborhood -- it's been quite the experience," Ciano said.

MATC students did the cooking.

"They did all the preparation for this and it's been very rewarding," Bruce Evans, MATC executive chef said.

It may come as no surprise that the tables will be set again nex tyear.

"We thought it would be great to bring people together in a family atmosphere," Ciano said.