People started arriving at 8:30 a.m. to get in line, said Lt. Larry Groenleer of the Salvation Army. Distribution of the holiday turkeys were not scheduled to start until 10 a.m., but clients at the Salvation Army, Hanapepe Corps, wanted
People started arriving at 8:30 a.m. to get in line, said Lt. Larry Groenleer of the Salvation Army. Distribution of the holiday turkeys were not scheduled to start until 10 a.m., but clients at the Salvation Army, Hanapepe Corps, wanted to be sure they had their birds.
“My children will be very happy,” a mother who was picking up her holiday food requests said. “Otherwise, they wouldn’t be having turkey this year.”
James Hughes, the Kauai Food Bank warehouse manager, said they dropped off more than 270 turkeys in Hanapepe of the total 780 birds distributed around the island.
Eileen Winters, a Rotary Club of Kaua‘i member helping at the Salvation Army, Lihu‘e Corps, said they had 123 registered to pick up turkeys.
“I know — I think I packed all of them,” said Rotarian Lenny Pope.
Bill Harper, also a Rotarian, has his own tradition that involves finding a new Rotary shirt to wear for each of his appearances.
“Last year, it was purple,” Harper said. “This year, it’s blue. I think it came from the Rotary Club of Kapa‘a, and I already have one picked out for next year.”
To verify his claim, Harper had a clipping from last year’s TGI that showed him and Capt. Angela Clement assisting a youngster with her holiday bird.
The annual turkey distribution marks the start of the holiday season for the Salvation Army, which opens doors to the 42nd annual Community Thanksgiving Luncheon on Wednesday in two locations.
From 10 a.m. to noon, a full-fledged Thanksgiving lunch will be available at the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall and at the Salvation Army, Hanapepe Corps.
The event is sponsored by The Salvation Army Kaua‘i advisory board, the county of Kaua‘i, and numerous businesses and individuals who come forward.
On the heels of the luncheon, the Salvation Army will launch its Adopt-a-Kettle program, which will run until Dec. 24.
Individuals and organizations wishing to contribute time to man the familiar red kettles are asked to contact Clement at 245-2571. He said there are 15 kettle sites available around the island, which organizations can adopt if they are willing to staff the 12-hour shifts.
“By ringing the bells at the red kettles, you will not only ‘ring’ in the true spirit of Christmas, but also help many of Kaua‘i’s families in need,” Clement said.
Other volunteer opportunities at the Salvation Army include the ACE’s Charity Program, Breakfast with Santa, the Angel Tree Program, Holiday Food Drive, Community Care Ministries and the Toys for Tots Partnership with the United States Marine Corps League.
For more information, call 245-2571.
