“Kansas Entrepreneur’s Generosity Shines Through Despite Cancer Struggle”

A Kansas businessman is making spirits bright and continuing a 21-year-long Christmas tradition by helping provide meals to those in need – even while going through a battle with his own health. 

“This has been such a special time, and we really couldn’t have done all of this without the community,” Shawn Holiday, co-owner and wife of Doug Holiday, said, describing their family tradition. “But our boys, this is all they’ve ever known since they were little. 

Doug and Shawn Holiday opened the popular Lawrence, Kansas, barbecue spot in 2004 and that’s when they were first approached by the First United Methodist Church for help.

“Since 2004, we’ve been doing this on Christmas Eve. This is what we do. We come in, get the turkeys, clean them out, get them ready to be put in the smoker. If the weather’s bad, the boys and Doug will spend the night here to make sure that all the process for the smoking goes through perfectly,” Shawn Holiday said while explaining the process of getting the dinners ready. 

Biggs BBQ owners Doug and Shawn Holiday have continued a 21-year family tradition of cooking turkeys for the Lawrence community, despite Doug going through a battle with prostate cancer.  (Shawn Holiday)

“It seems like the need keeps growing for the past few years. And so it’s really nice that everybody does jump in to help out the people that need it. I mean, we’ve had things in our personal lives that have, you know, gone sideways. But even if Doug is not feeling well, he would never let the community down,” Shawn Holiday said. 

Shawn added that even their customers have joined in on the holiday giving through the years. 

“We have customers that come in and drop off bags, and they bring in turkeys to donate for the community dinner. I mean, it’s a whole project that everybody does, and it really is an amazing experience,” Shawn continued.

The Holiday family has been collecting and cooking turkeys for the Lawrence, Kansas, community since 2004.  (Shawn Holiday)

“It shows the amazing people that live in Lawrence, Kansas, and how everyone can get together and for one cause and help each other. And that’s what’s the neat thing about the whole thing. That’s what’s neat about Lawrence, Kansas,” Doug Holiday echoed his wife. 

Doug shared that what makes this all even more special is that he has seen his three grown sons, Seth, Jacob and Ben continue to show up each year and continue the family’s tradition.

“All the boys have grown up. What is amazing is that when we first started this in 2004, it would take 4 to 5 hours probably for us to prepare the turkeys and get them ready for the smoker. And it’s taking less and less time now that they’ve grown,” Doug shared.

“It’s been very, very satisfying for me to know that my sons care and want to help. It’s something I look forward to every year.” 

Anyone wanting to contribute to the community dinner can make donations to the First United Methodist Church of Lawrence, Kansas, or the American Cancer Society. 

Fox News Digital’s Brooke Curto contributed to this report. 

Stepheny Price is writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. Story tips and ideas can be sent to [email protected]