Councilwoman delivers turkeys to hurricane victims

November 27, 2012 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle
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The impact Hurricane Sandy had on Red Hook and other parts of Brooklyn’s waterfront gave an air of urgency to the annual Thanksgiving turkey giveaway City Councilwoman Sara Gonzalez (D-Red Hook-Sunset Park) conducted for the holiday.

The super-storm devastated the lives of many lower income families in her district, Gonzalez said. To help them get through the Thanksgiving holiday, the councilwoman organized a turkey drive. While the distribution of turkeys for Thanksgiving is an annual ritual for Gonzalez, she said that this year everyone involved in the effort felt the need to step up and deliver as many turkeys as possible.

Gonzalez worked with the Brooklyn Arts Council, which reached out to local business owners and residents to seek donations. Gonzalez said she was grateful to several people, including Lenny Sherman of Alex’s Meats and Provisions; Delvis Valdes of the Sunset Park Lions Club; and the owners of Associated Supermarket; Pioneer Supermarket and Sunset Car Service, all of whom assisted in the effort.

The volunteers gathered at the councilwoman’s Sunset Park district office on the day before Thanksgiving to assist in the distribution as representatives from schools, churches and community organizations dropped by to take turkeys for the people they serve.

“Particularly in tough times like these, it is greatly encouraging to see community members step up to help their neighbors in need. Not only did our donors contribute by supplying turkeys, but some came by to help in the distribution and to share in the joy of giving. As we enter the holiday season, it brings me hope that while we were all impacted by Sandy to greater or lesser degrees, by appealing to our better angels, we will get through this by pulling together,” Gonzalez said.

Hundreds of turkeys were distributed in a matter of hours, according to the councilwoman.

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