Turkey drive for Haywood county’s needy in full swing
Thanks to community generosity, many of Haywood County’s neediest families will eat a hot turkey dinner this Thanksgiving. The Maggie Valley Area Lodging Association is once again seeking donations to help provide food baskets to those who may not otherwise enjoy this long standing American tradition.
This year continues a tradition — the Turkey Drive — that began in 1998, when the fledgling lodging association donated funds to help the community’s families in need.
“That first year, we were able to raise enough money to pay for 4S boxes of food and helped 45 families have a Thanksgiving”, commented Tammy Wight, MVALA President. “The following year we started fund raising to obtain money outside our organization, and were able to buy 75 turkey boxes.”
For the last several years the organization has been able to donate meals to 250 families, enabling at least 800 people to enjoy a hot Thanksgiving dinner.
The association works with the Haywood County Health and Human Services Agency to help determine who receives the boxes of food. All distribution is done by volunteers.
“The generosity of the community is heartwarming”, stated Joanne Martin, Association VicePresident. “We hope to be able to donate 250 boxes again this year, but are still short of our goal.”
A of $25 or more will provide a local needy family with a whole uncooked turkey, dressing, a vegetable, dessert and even a foil baking pan in which to cook the bird. Send donations to MVALA, PO Box 1175, Maggie Valley, N.C. 28751; or pay through PayPal by going to visiting www.visitmaggie.com and clicking on the donate button.
