By Chloe Miller
Source mlive.com
JACKSON, MI – Hundreds of motorists wrapped around the Jackson County Fairgrounds, hoping to receive a free turkey from the Jackson Police Department for Thanksgiving.
Cindy Brown, 66, was one of them. She is raising two of her teenage granddaughters. Money can be tight around the holidays, and receiving aid from others can make the day a lot easier, she said.
“I think it’s a wonderful thing,” Brown said. “I can see my community needs a lot of help, and I wish there were more events like this for people.”
The Jackson Police Department organized its third-annual Turkey Drive-Thru event Thursday, Nov. 21 at the American 1 Event Center, 200 W. Ganson St. This year, officers distributed 500 frozen turkeys, Jackson Police and Fire Services Director Elmer Hitt said.
“There’s certainly people in our community that need a little extra assistance during the holiday season,” Hitt said. “It’s also just to show our involvement and care for the people in the community and hopefully continue to build those relationships between law enforcement and the people we serve on a daily basis.”
The frozen turkeys filled the beds of three trucks, and officers bundled in hats and gloves handed them through car windows. They had short conversations and collected plenty of “Thank you’s” from residents.
“That’s probably the most gratifying when you have those that are really thankful and appreciative for the little bit of extra assistance they’re maybe gaining here this morning,” Hitt said.
Walmart and an anonymous donor provided the turkeys. This event is organized through the police department’s Group Violence Intervention Strategy program, which has police and the community working together on direct solutions to reducing gun violence in Jackson, officials said.
Jackson resident Robert Spoull attended to get a free turkey and thinks it’s a great event. The 77-year-old and his family host around 20 people for Thanksgiving, and the donation will make their day run smoother, he said.
“I can already smell the turkey cooking,” Spoull said.
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