The Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce’s annual Turkey Drive is Thursday as community volunteers are collecting donations to assist the Salvation Army and Cranbrook Food Bank over the holiday season.
This is the 10th year for the Turkey Drive in Cranbrook, as a team of “Little Pluckers” will are taking $20 pledges alongside the “Mother Plucker” and “Chief Turkey”. Each donation represents one turkey for the organizations.
“The Salvation Army and the Cranbrook Food Bank give assistance year-round to those in our community, and our Turkey Drive allows them to focus on what they do best: helping individuals and families in our community,” said Jason Wheeldon, Chief Turkey for the 2019 Turkey Drive. “The Turkey Drive funds a large portion of the Christmas Hamper programs for both organizations, and if they hit this year’s target, we will close in on raising close to half a million dollars for these organizations since the inception of the Turkey Drive.”
Thursday’s one-day event hopes to raise $50,000 as the community can call into the Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce at 250-426-5914 to make their turkey pledges.
“To me, the true meaning of Christmas is to show love and take care of our neighbour, and the Turkey Drive fulfills that need for Cranbrook and overwhelmingly so,” said Karin Penner, who has been dubbed the “Mother Plucker” for the Turkey Drive due to her heavy involvement with the annual program.
Penner is leading the team of “Little Pluckers” that will be accepting the donations over the phone during the Turkey Drive. Some of those volunteers and helpers include Tom Shypitka, Kootenay East MLA; John Hudak, Cranbrook City Councillor; Nathan Lieuwen, Cranbrook Bucks; Brent Jossy, Scotiabank; Josh Lowden and Chad Jensen; New Dawn Developments; Chris Botterill, Genex Marketing; Sean Campbell, Community Futures; and John Salomon.
“The Chamber is more than just an organization that represents the business community; it is an organization that strives for a healthy community and is proud to partner with the Salvation Army, Cranbrook Food Bank and the many dedicated volunteers that dedicate their resources and time to meeting the needs of our community,” said Jason Fast, President of the Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce. “We are excited, as a Board, to host this year’s Turkey Drive and help two outstanding agencies deliver the services over the holiday season.”
Members of the community can make their pledges by phoning 250-426-5914 or by physically coming by the Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce office.