13th Annual Turkey-A-Thon

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Friday, October 20, 2017 - 1:55pm
The Calais High School Student Council held a two-week penny drive to help raise money for the 13th Annual Turkey-A-Thon. Their goal was to raise enough money to help purchase 15 turkeys. With the support of all four classes and the staff at Calais High School, they were able to raise $240, enough to purchase 20 turkeys. Pictured are Calais High School Student Council Members bringing their donation to VL Tammaro in Calais. (Photo by Kaileigh Deacon) See story on page 3.

By Kaileigh Deacon

 

For the last thirteen years WQDY-WCRQ has partnered with Healthy Acadia to raise money to purchase turkeys. This year’s Turkey-A-Thon was the event’s thirteenth and it took place appropriately on Friday, October 13th. 

At seven locations across Washington County, WQDY and its volunteers were set up to collect donations. In Calais, WQDY was stationed at V.L. Tammaro collecting donations and checking in with other locations. This year the goal of the Turkey-A-Thon was to raise enough money to purchase 2,500 turkeys which will in turn be donated to local food pantries all over Washington County this Thanksgiving. 

During the Turkey-A-Thon several people stopped by to help collect donations. Representative Anne Perry was on hand for a while helping Jeff Demmons in the Dunkin Donuts Studio at V.L. Tammaro. “This event helps bring good food into the homes of families who need it,” Perry said. 

Businesses and other groups helped raise money for the Turkey-A-Thon as well. The Calais High School Student council had a penny drive for two weeks, businesses held jean days for donations, and there was some good old fashioned challenges as well. The First Bank in Eastport donated 50 turkeys and challenged the Bangor Savings Bank, which they accepted.

In the end, the 13th Annual Turkey-A-Thon raised enough money to purchase 2,501 turkeys by the time the event ended at 5:00 p.m. Many places received record donations with all seven locations helping to reach the total goal. Final totals from each location were: Baileyville 170 turkeys, Milbridge 177 turkeys, Eastport 491 turkeys, Machias 265 turkeys, Lubec 316 turkeys, Columbia 134 turkeys, and Calais 1,008 turkeys. 

 

It was a great turnout and helped support a great cause. Thanks to the generosity of all the people at all seven locations 2,500 more turkeys will be going to food banks all across Washington County this holiday season.