Happiness on the inside shows on the outside.

Some wise one said that. Maybe Will Rogers or Mark Twain.

But no matter.

Kelly Sanders was happy on the inside as she talked about “Turkeys from Heaven!” and her happiness showed.

For the second year, a group of local people will come together on Dec. 22, to smoke turkeys and prepare a Christmas meal for the benefit of families and individuals around Pike County.

The idea for “Turkeys from Heaven!” originated in Dothan and Sanders wanted to initiate a similar project in Troy and Pike County.

“The idea is that a community organization cooks and delivers meals to families that are in need of a Christmas meal,” Sanders said. “Our group here in Troy is non-denominational and our desire is to bring the Troy and Pike County communities together for a common cause at Christmastime. Our hope is to provide spiritual food to others as well as a Christmas meal.”

The goal for last year’s  “Turkeys from Heaven” project was 50 turkeys. However, the need was for 180 turkeys and the trimmings and the need was met.

“We quickly realized the need was greater than that,” Sanders said. “So this year, our goal is to provide 300 families with Christmas dinner. So, 300 meals; 300 turkeys.”

Already, 61 turkeys have been donated to the countywide project.

And, it’s easy to donate.

Just visit either Piggly Wiggly location in Troy and let the cashier know that the turkey is for “Turkeys from Heaven.”

“The cashier will have a barcode to scan the turkeys which are $15 each,” Sanders said. “The turkeys may be left at the store and they will be thawed for cooking on December 22.”

The names for “Turkeys from Heaven” will come from Hospice, Home Health agencies, Pike Regional Child Advocacy Center, Food Bank, and local schools and churches.

“We are hoping that churches will provide us with names because there might be those no one would know about otherwise,” Sanders said. “If we have more than 300 names, we will try to meet all the needs.”

The donation of turkeys is just one of the ways to be involved in “Turkeys from Heaven.”

“We need people to make green bean casseroles, pack rolls and cranberry sauce and deliver the Christmas meals and, of course, to smoke the turkeys,” Sanders said.

The beans, rolls and cranberry sauce are bought in bulk, which is less expensive, so donations for those items are also greatly appreciated.

“We invite families to participate together in ‘Turkeys from Heaven,” Sanders said. “Young people and children really benefit from being involved in doing something for others at Christmas. It gives them a different perspective and makes Christmas more meaningful.

“They experience what Christmas is really all about.”

Those who are interested in helping prepare and pack the meals on Dec. 22 are asked to contact Sanders at 372-4576, Janet Rawls at 372-0559 or Taylor Jinright, at 268-1051 by Dec. 19.

Those who would like to assist in cooking the turkeys or running a grill may contact Charles Rawls at 334-372-1907 or Treecop62@gmail.com.

Sanders may be contacted with names for the project at kellysanders@troycable.net.

“We will meet at The Emporium in downtown Troy at 8 a.m. on Dec. 22 to begin smoking the turkeys and preparing the food for delivery,” Sanders said.

“We thank everyone for their support of ‘Turkeys from Heaven.’ We’ll have a great time getting a taste of the spirit of Christmas by giving to others.”