Meet the Unlikely Heroes of New York City's Thanksgiving Season
As the rest of us tuck into our annual turkey dinners, there are others who toil behind the scenes to make the holiday season possible. In this exclusive look at NYC's hardest workers on Thanksgiving, we shine a spotlight on three unsung heroes.
First up is Kimberly Montgomery, the 64-year-old costume director for Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Her day begins at 2:30 AM as she prepares to oversee the dressing of over 4,000 parade participants. From 2:30 to 5 AM, Montgomery and her team fuel up on breakfast, meet with key stakeholders, and get the logistics in motion. As the morning progresses, hundreds of workers descend upon the Tick Tock Diner, where they enjoy a final meal before embarking on their grueling day ahead.
Montgomery's role requires not only organizational skills but also an ability to think on her feet. With no fittings or rehearsals beforehand, she must be prepared for any unexpected issues that may arise during the event. Despite this, she remains steadfast and enthusiastic about her work, exclaiming, "I feel like I'm in the right place." After a day filled with drama, excitement, and precision, Montgomery takes some time to celebrate with her family, who are also participating in the parade.
Next up is Marty Rogers, a 70-year-old retiree from The Bronx. For 47 years, he has been organizing a free Thanksgiving dinner for his neighbors at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. This annual event began as an idea from elderly parishioners without family to turn to during the holidays and has since become a beloved community tradition.
Rogers' team of volunteers works tirelessly behind the scenes to prepare over 40 turkeys, multiple courses, and entertainment for the festivities. From setting up decorations to serving hundreds of hungry guests, every member of the volunteer army is crucial in making this event successful. The dinner hall itself becomes a makeshift restaurant, where Rogers and his team pride themselves on providing exceptional service, complete with name tags, personalized seating arrangements, and warm smiles.
Last but certainly not least is Fariyal Abdullahi, 39-year-old executive chef at Hav & Mar in Chelsea. For years, she has worked in some of the world's most renowned kitchens, including Copenhagen's Noma and the World's 50 Best. However, on Thanksgiving Day, she trades her culinary school textbooks for a toque and spends time cooking up delicious international cuisine alongside her staff.
Abdullahi credits Hav & Mar's success to its unique blend of Ethiopian heritage and Nordic influence, with menu items like blue cornbread appetizers and slow-cooked oxtail biryani. Her team has become an extended family, with many members returning year after year to contribute to the restaurant's Thanksgiving celebrations.
For Abdullahi, the true magic lies in creating a sense of community among her guests – those who have nowhere else to turn on Thanksgiving Day. As she puts it, "I want them to leave feeling cared for, like they were part of something special." With an infectious enthusiasm and dedication to her craft, Fariyal Abdullahi shines as the unsung hero behind Hav & Mar's festive Thanksgiving celebrations.
These three remarkable individuals show us that Thanksgiving is not just a day off from work but also an opportunity to celebrate the people who make our lives richer. As we enjoy our own meals with family and friends, let's take a moment to appreciate those working tirelessly behind the scenes to bring this holiday magic to life in New York City.
As the rest of us tuck into our annual turkey dinners, there are others who toil behind the scenes to make the holiday season possible. In this exclusive look at NYC's hardest workers on Thanksgiving, we shine a spotlight on three unsung heroes.
First up is Kimberly Montgomery, the 64-year-old costume director for Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Her day begins at 2:30 AM as she prepares to oversee the dressing of over 4,000 parade participants. From 2:30 to 5 AM, Montgomery and her team fuel up on breakfast, meet with key stakeholders, and get the logistics in motion. As the morning progresses, hundreds of workers descend upon the Tick Tock Diner, where they enjoy a final meal before embarking on their grueling day ahead.
Montgomery's role requires not only organizational skills but also an ability to think on her feet. With no fittings or rehearsals beforehand, she must be prepared for any unexpected issues that may arise during the event. Despite this, she remains steadfast and enthusiastic about her work, exclaiming, "I feel like I'm in the right place." After a day filled with drama, excitement, and precision, Montgomery takes some time to celebrate with her family, who are also participating in the parade.
Next up is Marty Rogers, a 70-year-old retiree from The Bronx. For 47 years, he has been organizing a free Thanksgiving dinner for his neighbors at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. This annual event began as an idea from elderly parishioners without family to turn to during the holidays and has since become a beloved community tradition.
Rogers' team of volunteers works tirelessly behind the scenes to prepare over 40 turkeys, multiple courses, and entertainment for the festivities. From setting up decorations to serving hundreds of hungry guests, every member of the volunteer army is crucial in making this event successful. The dinner hall itself becomes a makeshift restaurant, where Rogers and his team pride themselves on providing exceptional service, complete with name tags, personalized seating arrangements, and warm smiles.
Last but certainly not least is Fariyal Abdullahi, 39-year-old executive chef at Hav & Mar in Chelsea. For years, she has worked in some of the world's most renowned kitchens, including Copenhagen's Noma and the World's 50 Best. However, on Thanksgiving Day, she trades her culinary school textbooks for a toque and spends time cooking up delicious international cuisine alongside her staff.
Abdullahi credits Hav & Mar's success to its unique blend of Ethiopian heritage and Nordic influence, with menu items like blue cornbread appetizers and slow-cooked oxtail biryani. Her team has become an extended family, with many members returning year after year to contribute to the restaurant's Thanksgiving celebrations.
For Abdullahi, the true magic lies in creating a sense of community among her guests – those who have nowhere else to turn on Thanksgiving Day. As she puts it, "I want them to leave feeling cared for, like they were part of something special." With an infectious enthusiasm and dedication to her craft, Fariyal Abdullahi shines as the unsung hero behind Hav & Mar's festive Thanksgiving celebrations.
These three remarkable individuals show us that Thanksgiving is not just a day off from work but also an opportunity to celebrate the people who make our lives richer. As we enjoy our own meals with family and friends, let's take a moment to appreciate those working tirelessly behind the scenes to bring this holiday magic to life in New York City.
I mean, can you believe these ppl are putting in work on Thanksgiving Day? Like, Kimberly Montgomery is out there makin' sure all them parade participants get dressed up on time 
, Marty Rogers is feedin' hundreds of people for free at his church dinner 
, and Fariyal Abdullahi is whippin' up a storm in the kitchen 
. I'm thinkin', what can we do to help these heroes out? Maybe we could all take an extra day off from work or volunteer our time to give back to the community? I mean, it's not just about gettin' a meal, it's about showin' some love and appreciation for people who are makin' a real difference. 
kimberly montgomery gets up at 2:30 am for parade, marty rogers puts together a free meal for his neighbors, and fariyal abdullahi cooks up a storm to make people feel cared for 
[parade float crashing] 
The real heroes are the ones who don't get invited to the parade 
but are out here doing the REAL work 
[Kimberly Montgomery looking stressed with a giant turkey head on her desk] 
meanwhile, we're over here eating our Thanksgiving turkey and thinking about all these people behind the scenes 
so these people are doing Thanksgiving for us huh? I mean i love food and all but 4k+ people dressed up in fancy costumes at 2:30 am is crazy 
plus they gotta deal with drama on the fly, that's wild 
what about all those volunteers who put in hours to serve thousands of people though? like seriously how do they even get time off on a holiday 
and is hav & mar's menu really "international cuisine" or just fancy food 
. And then there's Fariyal Abdullahi, cookin' up a storm in the kitchen while makin' sure everyone feels loved and cared for 
. These people are remindin' me of why we have Thanksgiving in the first place – to give thanks to all the good people out there doin' amazing things behind the scenes 
) of New York City's Thanksgiving season.
I'm low-key obsessed with these unsung heroes of NYC's Thanksgiving season! Like, who else is gonna put in 4,000+ parade participants and still manage to rock it? 
"Behind every great man is a woman" 
, but in this case, I think it's true for the guys too! I mean, who else would put in 2:30 AM breakfast with their team before the Macy's parade? 
Marty Rogers and Fariyal Abdullahi are total unsung heroes, keeping the Thanksgiving spirit alive with their free dinner events and international cuisine. We should all be thankful for people like them! 
Marty Rogers is making me want to join his volunteer team ASAP 
thank you for sharing their stories, it's so important we celebrate the little people who make a BIG impact 
. I mean whats wrong with just having a normal dinner at home? I guess thats not an option for Kimberly, Marty and Fariyal or whoever else is behind the scenes making this holiday happen 
, and Marty Rogers is so inspiring with his community dinner vibes - it's amazing what people can accomplish when they come together to help others 
. And Fariyal Abdullahi's passion for cooking up a storm on Thanksgiving Day is giving me major foodie envy 
! Kimberly Montgomery, Marty Rogers, and Fariyal Abdullahi are all about spreading love & kindness on the biggest day of the year 
Like, isn't it wild that these people are out here grinding on Thanksgiving? I mean, who else is up at 2:30 AM prepping for a parade, cooking up a storm, or serving hundreds of guests without any drama? 
anyway, i love how she just rolls with whatever happens no fittings or rehearsals beforehand what a stress-free boss