GIFFORD — Turkey giveaways are not just about the food, but also about building community relationships through service and laughter, organizers say. That’s the mantra that leaders with the Gifford Youth Achievement Center held as they passed out 200 turkeys to families during the 18th Annual Turkey Giveaway on Monday evening.

Co-organizer and retired sheriff’s Deputy Teddy Floyd (left) with volunteer Anita Dillard at GYAC’s 18th Annual Turkey Giveaway in Gifford. PHOTO BY NICK SAMUEL

“Service is the pillar to building a solid community,” said event co-organizer Freddie Woolfork, GYAC’s longtime director of public relations and facilities operations. “The volunteers here are helping out while also getting to know each other, writing down each other’s phone numbers and knowing their names. This is about finding common ground and working as a team.”

As the holiday season quickly approaches, community leaders want to make sure residents have a meal for Thanksgiving. Other organizers will pass out free Thanksgiving meals in Gifford up to Thanksgiving Day.

GYAC’s turkey event was held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday at the Victor Hart Sr. Community Enhancement Complex, located just west of 43rd Avenue and south of 49th Street.

Dozens of drivers made their way through the parking lot to receive their turkeys while hearing Woolfork on a microphone saying “Happy Thanksgiving.” Residents were required to register in advance for vouchers at GYAC.

Representatives from the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office, the Indian River County NAACP and more volunteers passed out the turkeys. Sheriff Eric Flowers said turkey giveaways like this are important especially after residents had homes damaged or destroyed last month by tornadoes spawned by Hurricane Milton.

“This year the economy is rough. We know there are a lot of people who won’t be able to afford a meal,” said Flowers, who made an appearance at Monday’s event. “We’re helping out with other food drives too. We’re trying to be involved in this as much as we can.”

Freddie Woolfork, event co-organizer and GYAC’s longtime director of public relations and facilities operations, spreads messages of cheerful giving at GYAC’s 18th Annual Turkey Giveaway in Gifford. PHOTO BY NICK SAMUEL

Volunteers Alisa Lofton, 64, and Tracie Brown, 53, both of Gifford, helped count the vouchers and direct traffic. The two said it was their first time helping out at GYAC’s turkey giveaway and that they enjoyed themselves.

Woolfork and retired sheriff’s Deputy Teddy Floyd helped to start GYAC’s turkey giveaway in 2006 because they saw a need in the community. Floyd, a longtime GYAC board member and football coach for the Vero Beach High School Fighting Indians, said the events allow residents to see law enforcement officers lending a helping hand.

“We have to protect our community,” said co-organizer Floyd, who considers Woolfork as his mentor. “We’re trying to build the concept of ‘We.’ We have to pick each other up. I’m always thinking about others.”

Those who missed Monday’s event are still in luck.

Here are upcoming Thanksgiving meal giveaway events leading up to Thanksgiving Day:

Thursday, Nov. 21 at 4:30 p.m., World Deliverance Church will pass out free Thanksgiving meals at the Gifford Historical Museum and Cultural Center, 2880 45th St., Gifford.
Saturday, Nov. 23 at 10 a.m. until food runs out, Miss Fran’s Helping Hands of IRC & The House of God Church will host a community feeding at House of God Church, 3635 43rd St., Gifford.
Thursday, Nov. 28 (Thanksgiving Day) at 11:30 a.m., Team Success Enterprises will sponsor a Thanksgiving morning dinner giveaway at the Gifford Historical Museum and Cultural Center, 2880 45th St., Gifford.