CALAIS, Maine — It takes a community to feed those who are less fortunate, which is what happened on Oct. 12 during the eighth annual Turkey-A-Thon in Washington County. As a result of the daylong event, approximately 1,900 turkeys will be donated to food pantries from Baileyville to Jonesport.
The event was sponsored by Classic Hits Radio WQDY-WALZ and Washington County: One Community. WQDY broadcasted live from the V.L. Tammaro Store on North Street.
Volunteers were on site in Baileyville, Machias, Calais, Eastport, Milbridge, Jonesport and Lubec. They report that a steady stream of people stopped by to donate to the fundraiser. A $12 donation guaranteed that a Washington County family would receive a turkey.
Among the largest contributors were students, staff and faculty of Washington County Community College, who raised more than $800. The WCCC Student Senate contributed more than $200 to the total amount. Student Senate President Christine Phillips, along with members of the Student Senate, and students from the residential and commercial electricity class, along with instructor Paul Mitchell, presented the check to WQDY Sales Representative Jeff Demmons, in charge of the live broadcast.
“We were glad to do it,” Phillips said. “This is a rough economy and it is a really good feeling to know that we will be able to put that turkey on the table for this upcoming holiday.”
Demmons said last year the Turkey-A-Thon raised more than $21,000. The goal this year is 2,000 turkeys. “We appreciate all of the support that all of the communities give us,” he said.
Yes , that is the way that folks WayDownEast do it.
They give their all to help.
Though my beloved Washington County may be doing
without in many ways , we always dig deep to help a friend or neighbor.
I remember what grandad used to say: ” If it wasn’t for
the hard times , we wouldnt have any times a’tall”.
Gobble gobble !
Less fortunate like the thieves who rented my house in Machias, stuck me for $8000 in rent as well as an empty oil tank and damage. I had given them CHARITY years earlier, and a cheap rent because, gosh, ‘they needed help’. They have LIHEAP, SNAF (?) Medicaid (to include mileage to Bangor for a specialist and a hotel room with DINNER as its overnight) and food stamps. Not to mention FOUR kids on ‘disability’, which is pure bucks.
I do hate to seem jaded, but I’m done with ‘the poor’.
Has anyone noted the obesity rate in Washington County? They have their problems, going hungry isn’t one of them.