Each year, Elliot Health System provides 12- to 14-pound turkeys to each of its staff members and volunteers prior to Thanksgiving as a token of their appreciation. Over the years the event has grown into much more than a day to pick up your turkey, it truly is all about the tradition of the day.
The tradition continued this year, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff simply drove up and a masked and gloved member of the Elliot Health System leadership team delivered the bird right to their car.
This year, in total, Elliot Health System distributed 2,656 turkeys to staff and donated 1,440 to the Food Bank, 304 to New Horizons, 60 to MPAL, and 40 to Amoskeag Health.
Many employees choose to donate their turkey. In fact, this year, 23 Emergency Department providers donated their birds to New Life Home for Women and Children!
Turkey Day took place on the same day as the E.N.G.A.G.E. Committee’s Annual Food and Clothing Drive. That event was also conducted safely with volunteers removing donated items from staff members’ cars while they received their turkeys.
During the day-long event, employees across The Elliot donated non-perishable food items and warm winter clothing. In total, the Food Bank received 1,526 pounds of donated food. And Brookside Congregational Church received the clothing donations.
Anne-Marie Hafeman, Events and Community Outreach Manager and E.N.G.A.G.E. Committee member, helped plan both Turkey Day and the Food and Clothing Drive. “ I want to thank everyone at The Elliot for helping our community this holiday season,” she says. “It was so inspiring to see our colleagues give even more to the community we serve.”
We wish you and yours a very warm and happy holiday season!
