30 years of giving away turkey dinners in Delaware
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<p>Firefighter academy cadets escort Eva Foley, widow of Frank Foley, into the banquet hall of Fire Fighters Local 22 for the annual widows' Thanksgiving luncheon. (Emma Lee/for NewsWorks)</p>
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<p>Philadelphia Firefighters Local 22 President Bill Gault and Joseph Tracy load up some of the 120 Thanksgiving meals that will be delivered by firefighters. (Emma Lee/for NewsWorks)</p>
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<p>John Udovich, a volunteer from the firefighters academy, waits on widows Vivian Jordan (left) and Marie Bonner at the annual Thanksgiving luncheon for widows of fallen firefighters. (Emma Lee/for NewsWorks)</p>
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<p>Philadelphia firefighter cadet Maurice Putnam dances with Carol Maruschak at the annual Thanksgiving luncheon for firefighter's widows at Local 22 on 5th Street. (Emma Lee/for NewsWorks)</p>
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<p>Joan White, widow of firefighter Ed White, laughs while she holds her grandson, Myan McGill at the annual Thanksgiving luncheon for widows. (Emma Lee/for NewsWorks)</p>
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<p>Widows of Philadelphia firefighters gather at Local 22 on North Fifth Street for the annual pre-Thanksgiving luncheon. (Emma Lee/for NewsWorks)</p>
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<p>Diane Neary, whose husband Robert died in a warehouse fire in April, attends the annual Thanksgiving luncheon for the widows of firefighters. She is accompanied by Alice Brennan (left) and Vivian Jordan. (Emma Lee/for NewsWorks)</p>
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<p>Some of the hundreds of turkeys ready to be given away to needy seniors and other families in Wilmington. (Mark Eichmann/WHYY)</p>
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<p>Volunteers pass donated turkeys down the line. (Mark Eichmann/WHYY)</p>
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<p>The big crowd gathered for the turkey drive bowed for a prayer of thanks before the food was delivered. (Mark Eichmann/WHYY)</p>
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<p>Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden bows for prayer alongside Wilmington Mayor James Baker. (Mark Eichmann/WHYY)</p>
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<p>Delaware AG Beau Biden reads a plaque that was presented to Wilmington Police Chief Michael Szczerba for his service to the people of Wilmington. (Mark Eichmann/WHYY)</p>
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<p>Senator Chris Coons talks to the crowd alongside Wilmington City Councilman Kevin Kelley. (Mark Eichmann/WHYY)</p>
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<p>The turkey drive collection event took over a corner in Wilmington's Southbridge section. (Mark Eichmann/WHYY)</p>
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<p>(Mark Eichmann/WHYY)</p>
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<p>(Mark Eichmann/WHYY)</p>
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<p>(Mark Eichmann/WHYY)</p>
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<p>Boxes loaded with turkeys are delivered to NOR Enterprises building in Wilmington before being distributed. (Mark Eichmann/WHYY)</p>
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<p>Rows and rows of turkeys stacked high waiting to be delivered. (Mark Eichmann/WHYY)</p>
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<p>More turkeys. (Mark Eichmann/WHYY)</p>
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<p>Organizers were also collecting coats this year for needy families. (Mark Eichmann/WHYY)</p>
For the past thirty years, Norman Oliver has been helping feed the needy in Wilmington on Thanksgiving. This year, he’s had more help than ever.
Row upon row of food boxes were stacked inside the offices of NOR Enterprises Tuesday as volunteers prepared to hand out the birds and other trimmings to needy seniors and other families in Wilmington. Norman Oliver’s mission to feed the needy started in a much simpler fashion as he would bring food to people living underneath city bridges.
That humble start has transitioned into a must-do event for elected leaders (and wannabe elected leaders). Today’s event was a who’s-who of Delaware politics with two out of three members of Delaware Congressional Delegation, state Attorney General Beau Biden, Wilmington Mayor James Baker, newly elected New Castle County Executive Tom Gordon, city council members and many more in attendance.
“This is incredible,” said Oliver about the turnout and the donations of so much food. He says so many people in the city are struggling. “It’s hard to figure out who to give turkeys to. I don’t get into that. I just want to help people.”
Senator Chris Coons said the drive is a great way to demonstrate the spirit of Thanksgiving. “It’s a way to start the holiday season by being reminded both how good our community is, the incredible number of turkeys, and this year, winter coats that are being given away, but also it’s a sobering reminder of how many people in Wilmington and throughout New Castle County, Delaware are still in need.”
Congressman John Carney echoes his Senate colleague, “Regardless of how difficult times are, we have a lot to be thankful for. This is a good way of showing how much we appreciate that by giving to other folks who need it more than we do.”
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