The Cranbrook and District Chamber of Commerce is holding its annual Turkey Drive on Dec. 4.

From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 4, chamber members, led by Jason Wheeldon and Warren Bedell, will be seeking donations to aid them in the goal of raising $22, 400 to help provide Christmas hampers for struggling Cranbrook families.

The gist of the turkey drive is to sell turkeys, valued at $20 apiece, to donors in order to raise money for the Cranbrook Food Bank and Salvation Army.

“The demand for hampers in the community is 750 this year,” said Cranbrook Chamber vice-president David Struthers.

It is estimated that $64,000 will be required to meet that allotment. The chamber’s goal is to raise 35% of that figure.

Helping launch this year’s drive with an exclamation Nov. 19 was Overwaitea Foods Group President Darrell Jones, who challenged other food sales business owners to match his donation of 100 turkeys ($2,000).

Following loud cheers from the Heritage Inn conference room, Struthers thanked the Cranbrook-raised Jones for a “very generous” donation.

More than $27,000 was raised last year.

Ccall 250-426-5914 and make a turkey donation or donation more if you wish.

Lead photo: Kootenay East Constituency Assistant Heather Smith, left, with Overwaitea Food Group President Darrell Jones and Nella Rounsville, last year’s Turkey Platter winner for collecting more donations ($7,200) than any other chamber member, during the Nov. 19 chamber luncheon.

Ian Cobb/e-KNOW

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