John Boccia, owner of Boccia’s D’Italia in South Ogden, brought New York style Italian food to Utah two and a half years ago. He was overwhelmed with the community’s welcoming response to his restaurant as it opened and people had to wait for nearly an hour to get their food. Boccia has since remodeled his building twice to house the demand for his grandmother’s Italian recipes. However, Boccia is more than a great local business owner, he has given his all to the community through donations and support of local programs and events. South Ogden firefighter Brian Minster said, "Ever since he came into South Ogden, he has been there for the fire department."

Boccia is gearing up for his second season of putting smiles on the faces of families struggling to rejoice during the holiday season. Last year, Boccia teamed up with the South Ogden fire department to provide dinner and gifts for local families. Boccia was again overwhelmed with the community’s response.

"We didn’t advertise it," Boccia said, "As the word got out, people were here to help."

Boccia compiled a list of people in need of help through the direction of friends, city groups and neighbors. He took the list and personally visited each family. Boccia selected 11 families. The South Ogden firefighters also selected two families for this Christmas celebration.

Lt. Cameron West of the fire department said, "It was great to have (the families) get out of the house and the situations they are used to and to watch them enjoy a good meal." The firefighters said that seeing the Christmas morning faces on the children was worth the effort.

Boccia remembers one girl who only wanted an Elmo doll for Christmas. She was a 16-year-old suffering from cerebral palsy. The South Ogden fire department and Boccia went to the toy store and bought everything that had anything to do with Elmo. The child arrived at the restaurant with her family and just sat there with no acknowledgment of what was going on around her. "When she got those gifts, and she put this big ole smile on her face," Boccia recalled. "You could put a fork in me, because that made it all worth while."

As Boccia gears up for the special event this year, he hopes he can reach out and help even more people. He realizes that the community makes it happen. "It’s not my thing," he said. "It’s the community’s thing.

I’m new to the community. I started it, but it’s like my restaurant: it doesn’t work without a team."

If you would like to help John Boccia and the South Ogden fire department next holiday season, contact John at 452-0193 or the South Ogden Fire Department at 394-4966.

Deep in a Louisiana restaurant you would get served a fine Cajun-style dish of alligator that was ‘knock-off-your-socks’ spicy and only available there.

However, here in Ogden, The Cajun Skillet caters to the flavors your mouth can handle, whether you like it hot or not.

Thomas Jackson has been serving up homestyle Cajun dishes for 17 years in Ogden. Jackson also serves up solid meals to the homeless on Thanksgiving and Christmas. But, Jackson doesn’t stop giving back to the community after his food services. He also brings 71-year-old southern respect to Utah as a mentor to many struggling youth and broken up families.

Jackson has watched the communty’s ups and downs since coming to Ogden. The events he holds come from his desire to serve and improve the community he calls home. He says, "Everywhere you go it’s trouble. It’s trouble. I don’t look for everybody to be perfect. I don’t look for everything to be right. But my goodness, (we need to) have something around for everyone to get along and be happy."

The past 17 years have brought success to his holiday meal program full of solid meals for the homeless. The event is now held at the Marshall White Center in order to house the 1,300 people that are expected to come every season.

Jackson couldn’t hold this even on his own. He is grateful for the people in the community that have recognized the good he is doing and support him where they can. He said, "We have a lot of lovely people in this town that love to help others." Jackson relies on donations of food, time, and money to put on his event every year.

If you would like to donate time, food, gifts, and/or money to help Jackson feed the homeless next year, contact The Cajun Skillet by phone at 393-7702 or drop by 2550 Washington Boulevard.

Jeremy Holt - Winter 2003

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