Turkey drive underway

Most people don't associate driver training with turkeys, but a local business' freezer overflowed with the birds Wednesday.

Mavis Williamson, owner of Brunswick Driver Training, founded the annual Christmas turkey drive in Miramichi seven years ago. She received a donation of 40 turkeys from Wal-Mart employees Wednesday morning.

"That's a huge contribution," she said.

Williamson started the turkey drive after she saw how successful the one in Moncton was. She went to the local food hamper organizers and told them she wanted to take on the challenge in Miramichi.

"They were thrilled," she said.

People in need register for the hampers so the organizers know how many will receive dinners. This year the goal is 209 turkeys.

Williamson said they were short about 10 or 15 last year, but with only one hour to go Wal-Mart employees covered the rest. "We've always met the goals."

Part of the reason they meet their targets is because people in Miramichi help when there's a need, she said.

"It's one of the reasons why people stay here."

Williamson said the numbers haven't changed much over the years and they are on par with last year. Last year the goal was 211. "It's been pretty stable."

Wal-Mart tire and lube express manager Michael Adams helped deliver the turkeys and laughed as he talked to Williamson about the 11 his staff donated last year.

"I told you I doubled it, but I lied."

Adams said their involvement started last year when the automotive staff heard Williamson on the radio. The drive was short on the last day so they decided to help.

"Let's do something," they said.

They collected enough money to buy the turkeys that day and Adams said some of them asked in October when they would start to collect for this year's drive. "They were raring to go."

Store manager Leon Baker said there is a lot of support from staff who went in on days off to help with the drive. "Everyone at the store really loves to do it."

Williamson said it was great to see an organization like Wal-Mart help with an event like the turkey drive.

"I think it's just phenomenal."

The drive started Monday and runs until Dec. 12. The last day is when people scramble to bring the numbers up to where they need to be, she said.

"Usually the last day is the day of chaos."

Williamson said Christmas day has so much tradition to it she doesn't think anyone wants to see someone go without a Christmas dinner.

"The support has been tremendous."

In the past she received donations from people who needed help at one time, but donated once their situation improved. She said she also heard about a class at one of the schools that collected $1 each and bought a turkey to show the impact one person can have.

"Those are the nice stories."