As the holiday season kicks into high gear, an area foundation and church continued to give generously to ensure that area veterans and their families can enjoy a delicious holiday meal this Thanksgiving.

For many years, First United Methodist Church of Sarasota has donated turkeys and boxes of sides to be given to veterans served by Goodwill Manasota's Veterans Services program in advance of Thanksgiving. This year, they provided 50 turkeys and sides and roasting pans; these were delivered to Turning Points in Bradenton for distribution the week prior to Thanksgiving.

Thanks to additional generous funds from the Gail Baird Foundation, 300 turkeys, side dishes, extra food for later, and some special gifts – including fleece jackets and $25 Publix gift cards – were distributed to area veterans during the Turkeys for Troops Giveaway & Resource Fair at Goodwill’s Corporate Campus in Bradenton on November 26. 

The Resource Fair featured representatives from organizations dedicated to supporting veterans and their families, such as Veterans Affairs, the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, SRQ Vets, Veterans Affairs Law, Operation Warrior Resolution, and others. Radio personalities Maverick and Lulu from WCTQ were also on-site to do a Facebook Live broadcast.

Organizers from Goodwill estimate that more than 750 individuals – veterans and family members – were served through the turkey distributions this year.

"It is an honor to assist local veterans and their families through this partnership between Goodwill's Veterans Services program and the Gail Baird Foundation,” said Gail Baird Foundation CEO and Managing Member Eric Baird. “It was humbling to see how grateful the veterans were; I’m forever thankful for their service.”

This is the second year that the Gail Baird Foundation has contributed funds toward the turkey giveaway. Numerous Baird family members were in attendance, including Eric, his father, “Poppy,” and oldest daughter as well as several of their close friends and foundation team members. 

Goodwill’s Veterans Services program works to help eliminate barriers to employment, provide opportunities for higher-paying positions for veterans and their families, and connect veterans with needed social services. It also offers networking opportunities and emergency financial assistance – which is particularly important as already at-risk veterans continue to face challenges related to higher costs of living and the recent hurricanes.

For more about Goodwill’s Veterans Services program, visit experiencegoodwill.org/veteransservices.

About Goodwill Manasota
Goodwill Manasota is an industry-leading 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that changes lives through the power of work. With philanthropic donations and revenue generated by the sales of donated goods, Goodwill is able to assist people with disabilities, veterans, seniors, and those with other barriers to employment by providing jobs, job skills training, and free career services. For more information or for a listing of locations, visit experiencegoodwill.org or call 941-355-2721.