FELLSMERE — Two days before Operation Hope’s annual Thanksgiving turkey giveaway in Fellsmere, a meager 67 turkeys were all the organization had sitting in its coolers – not near enough to help the hundreds of families expected to seek help on Saturday.
Operation Hope’s president, Jesse Zermeno, put the call out for help and the community rallied. The final count, just before families were led into the warehouse to pick out foodstuffs for their Thanksgiving feasts, stood at a little over 400 turkeys and chickens, with more still coming in.
“I am touched to tears,” Zermeno’s wife, Jann, told the group of volunteers just before the distribution began. “I’ve seen the loaves and fishes. I’ve seen miracles.”
“We are able to bless a lot of people today,” Zermeno said.
Among those who gathered before the event started was Micco resident Georgia, who came for the second year in row to get items to put together a respectable Thanksgiving dinner for her husband and son.
“It means a lot,” Georgia said, adding that they wouldn’t have Thanksgiving if not for Operation Hope’s help.
“We really can’t afford much,” she said, explaining that her husband is on disability and her primary role is to take care of him.
“Unfortunately, your bills come first,” she said. “It’s nice to know there’s someone out here to help.”
Sandra Sanchez brought her two young sons, Romero Jr. and Daniel, with her to Operation Hope to also get Thanksgiving assistance.
“There are a lot of people out of work,” she said, noting her family is among those.
“Operation Hope is a good business here to help people in need,” she said.
Several volunteer groups descended on Operation Hope to help with the giveaway, including many from Brevard County. Locally, members of the Sebastian River High School Baseball team showed up to help load people’s vehicles with the canned and boxed goods, breads, pastries, and, of course, the turkey.
“It’s a volunteer thing, really,” said 10th grade short stop and catcher T.J. Bologno of coming out to help. This is at least the second time the team has helped with the event and his teammates see this as the beginning of a tradition of helping.
“It feels good,” said junior first baseman A.J. Prudenti.
“We’re doing our part for the community,” added junior center fielder Daniel Niedziela.
They were assisted by fellow teammates Havin McGeady, junior and catcher, and Noah Niedziela, freshman and center fielder.
Zermeno said Saturday’s giveaway could not have happened if not for the generosity of the community, including that of several groups and businesses that donated several turkeys or the money to buy the birds and that of individuals who stepped forward and also made large donations.
Some companies in the area donated citrus fruit to add to the Thanksgiving dinners and Pepsi Co in Melbourne donated pallets of beverages to help families wash down their meals.
The Thanksgiving giveaway is the second of three large events Operation Hope hosts between August and New Year’s. The first is the annual Back to School Backpack Giveaway, which helps provide school supplies to children who might otherwise go back to school with nothing. The next is the annual Christmas Giveaway, which helps parents and guardians put a present or two under the Christmas tree for their young children.
With the Thanksgiving event complete, Zermeno and his team are looking ahead to the Dec. 16 event and asking the community again for help.
Toys appropriate for children ages infant to 8 are most in demand, according to Zermeno. For older children, Operation Hope is seeking donations of sport balls, such as those for soccer or basketball, and even watches.
The event, which will begin at 1 p.m., will include live music, face painting, clown performances, and an appearance by Santa Claus.
Anyone interested in volunteering or donating to the event is encouraged to call Operation Hope at (772) 571-003. Operation Hope is located at 12285 County Road 512, Fellsmere.
