Imperial County Supervisor John Renison hands a turkey to one of the dozens of people who turned out to pick up Christmas dinner on Thursday in Calexico. Three companies donated 30 turkeys for needy Calexico families. (ELIZABETH VARIN PHOTO) |
CALEXICO — Taking still-frozen birds out of the trunk of a car, a group representing three businesses brought a Christmas meal to some area residents.
Three companies, AP Wireless Infrastructure Partners, Ferguson Waterworks and Kinsell, Newcomb & De Dios Inc., each donated 10 turkeys to the 30 families most in need that were identified by the Calexico Unified’s Family Resource Center. All three companies, while not based locally, do business in the area.
The businesses are working together to help the families in the area that has many low-income residents and a high poverty level, said Tony Gonzalez, director of acquisitions of AP Wireless Infrastructure Partners.
“We thought it’d be a great way to give back to the community because they really need it here,” he said.
And it was worth it, seeing the smile on the faces of people as they handed out the turkeys, he later added.
The group is hoping to get other companies, like San Diego Gas & Electric and AT&T, involved to grow the event next year. The goal will be to serve 100 people.
Events like the one held Thursday afternoon are a big help for some residents, said Imperial County Supervisor John Renison, who helped set it up.
“It’s just to make people’s holidays a little bit brighter,” he said.
The day will be brighter for Martina Montoya of Calexico, who picked up her turkey soon after the event started. It is set to help a lot of people, and she’s glad for the turkey.
“Many people don’t have anything to eat during Christmas, and this is good for all the families,” she said.
The donation will also be a help for Janet Alvarez of Calexico who carried two frozen turkeys away from the trailer off Birch Street on Thursday. One was for her family and one was for her mother, she said.
“I’m really thankful,” she said. “This is going to be food for our family, to have the turkey for dinner this Christmas.”
Staff Writer Elizabeth Varin can be reached at evarin@ivpressonline.com or 760-337-3441.
Three companies, AP Wireless Infrastructure Partners, Ferguson Waterworks and Kinsell, Newcomb & De Dios Inc., each donated 10 turkeys to the 30 families most in need that were identified by the Calexico Unified’s Family Resource Center. All three companies, while not based locally, do business in the area.
The businesses are working together to help the families in the area that has many low-income residents and a high poverty level, said Tony Gonzalez, director of acquisitions of AP Wireless Infrastructure Partners.
“We thought it’d be a great way to give back to the community because they really need it here,” he said.
And it was worth it, seeing the smile on the faces of people as they handed out the turkeys, he later added.
The group is hoping to get other companies, like San Diego Gas & Electric and AT&T, involved to grow the event next year. The goal will be to serve 100 people.
Events like the one held Thursday afternoon are a big help for some residents, said Imperial County Supervisor John Renison, who helped set it up.
“It’s just to make people’s holidays a little bit brighter,” he said.
The day will be brighter for Martina Montoya of Calexico, who picked up her turkey soon after the event started. It is set to help a lot of people, and she’s glad for the turkey.
“Many people don’t have anything to eat during Christmas, and this is good for all the families,” she said.
The donation will also be a help for Janet Alvarez of Calexico who carried two frozen turkeys away from the trailer off Birch Street on Thursday. One was for her family and one was for her mother, she said.
“I’m really thankful,” she said. “This is going to be food for our family, to have the turkey for dinner this Christmas.”
Staff Writer Elizabeth Varin can be reached at evarin@ivpressonline.com or 760-337-3441.
