Turkeys 4 America West Coast - Aaron Soskin

Gobble, Gobble… It all started four years ago just prior to my Bar Mitzvah. I needed a community service project and was looking for something a bit different. A friend of my family told me about a brother and sister team in Boston that had started an organization called Turkeys 4 America that buys turkeys for the Boston Food Bank every year during Thanksgiving. As my dad said: “Perfect, since you are a turkey”.

That first year, with help from our local community, I raised $2,000. We gave it to the Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services, and it allowed them to buy an extra 200 turkeys that year. Every year since then we have increased our fundraising. In 2008, we are aiming to raise $10,000. A tall order, but it will allow us to provide the Sacramento Food Bank with half of the turkeys they will need during Thanksgiving.

The truly amazing benefit from partnering with the Sacramento Food Bank is the experiences I have had.   Also, I have worked at the food bank several times passing out food packages, and it has allowed me to see how hard life can be. All at once, I feel good about helping even in a small way and, at the same time, I understand better how lucky I am.

With my sister and parents' help, we are raising money through several methods: We make a personal appeal to individuals, we sponsor contests at local schools, and this year, I have initiated a corporate giving campaign focus on businesses and foundations. We have already raised $5,000 through corporate giving from The Sacramento Board of Realtors, Harsh Management Company, and Weingarten Realty Investors.

As I mentioned earlier, we have a tall order this year in attempting to raise $10,000. It is a committtment I have made to the food bank, and I am determined to meet it. Given the current economic problems, we understand how challenging that will be.  Here is where you come in. We need  your support. Please make a donation today.  It is not too late to help a family enjoy Thanksgiving in 2008. You can donate by credit card or mail us a check to the address below. Turkeys 4 America is a tax deductible non-profit corporation. 

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