Aaron Young was thankful he had somewhere to go last night for Thanksgiving dinner — his auntie's house in Hawai'i Kai.

But the 16-year-old junior at Iolani School knows not everyone is so fortunate.

That spurred him to volunteer at the Salvation Army Community Thanksgiving Dinner yesterday at the Blaisdell Center Exhibition Hall.

"We have families and places to go to for Thanksgiving dinner," said Young, who volunteered with the school's Key Club. "But the people here don't have families or places to go to. So it's good that the Salvation Army does this."

Young was among 800 volunteers who prepared and served close to 2,000 meals at the Blaisdell yesterday.

This was the Salvation Army's 35th year of serving free Thanksgiving dinners, complete with mashed potatoes and pumpkin pies.

"It helps, it really does," said George Kaniho, 69, of Makiki, a retired custodian who brought his elderly aunt to the event. "So many people having rough times, especially the homeless. ... This is really great."

Various clubs and organizations — from Lions Club chapters to high school basketball teams — pitched in yesterday.

At the River of Life Mission in Chinatown, a line stretched down the street. More than 600 meals were served there yesterday, and 135 more were distributed at senior centers around the island.

Donations during this time help the mission serve about 12,000 hot meals a month and deliver 25,000 more into the community.

"The need is there all year long," said Davi Teves, who works part time at the mission. "This is the season of giving, and we have to make the most of this time. We have to make sure we have enough to stretch us through the year."

Over at the Institute of Human Services on Sumner Street, more than 50 volunteers from the Hilton Hawaiian Village served Thanksgiving meals to about 500 hungry people.

"It's a lot of fun; it's good to give back," said Daniel LaGarde, Hilton Hawaiian Village executive chef who, along with his staff, prepared the entire feast, from roasted turkey to cornbread stuffing. "You go there and see the less fortunate and it just breaks your heart. This is a good way to give back to the community and let them have a nice Thanksgiving meal."

"There's so many people in need, and we don't realize it until you see it," LaGarde said. "It makes you realize the value of life and what you can give back."

Hundreds of North Shore residents were also served free Thanksgiving meals at the Waialua Community Center in Hale'iwa, courtesy of the 16th annual Operation Aloha.

Back at the Blaisdell, Ray Pagan, 60, has gotten his biker club — Intruders of Hawai'i — to volunteer at the event for the past four years.

"We like to help out the community," he said, decked in a leather vest and jeans. "We want to show people that bikers like to help out whenever we can."

It wasn't just the Thanksgiving feast that drew folks.

Kicking off the dinner was a notable lineup of local artists, including 'ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro and Henry Kapono, who donated their time. (The two even connected on an impromptu rendition of "Friends.") Comedian Frank DeLima was emcee for the event.

"It's nice to be back home, and I'm honored to be a part of this," said Shimabukuro, who's been traveling to promote his latest CD, "Dragon." "It's important to give back to the community."

Marvy Ortiz, 62, was nearly brought to tears listening to Shimabukuro play "Ave Maria."

"He's wonderful," said the Kalihi Valley resident and Salvation Army bell ringer. "That's a talent, what his fingers do."

This was Ortiz's fifth time at the community Thanksgiving dinner.

"This is so enjoyable," she said. "It's a gathering of everybody. The Salvation Army isn't prejudiced. Anybody can come."

Mayor Mufi Hannemann, who greeted volunteers and guests, carved the first turkey. City managing director Jeff Coelho was close by with carving tips for the mayor.

"It's not just one day a year that we should exude these acts of generosity, but we should to do this 365 days of the year," Hannemann said. "The nice thing about people from Hawai'i is that we share the spirit of aloha with others. ... Charity begins at home."

Reach Catherine E. Toth at ctoth@honoluluadvertiser.com.