For the sixth year, “Turkeys from Heaven will bring the Troy/Pike County community together to deliver meals to families that are in need of a Christmas meal.

“Turkeys from Heaven” in Pike County was organized by Kelly Sanders who was introduced to the program by a friend in Dothan.

“The real spirit of Christmas is giving to others and the people of Troy and Pike County have such wonderful giving spirits,” Sanders said. “People have been so generous with their time, their talents and their donations that, each year, the outreach of Turkeys from Heaven has been extended to more families.”

This year, Christmas 2019, Turkeys from Heaven in Pike County will deliver 500 meals to families in Pike, Crenshaw and Bullock counties up to the Dale County line.

“Being able to reach out to 500 families is truly a blessing from heaven,” Sanders said. “And, with that blessing comes the opportunity to move to a larger location. So, on Sunday, December 22, we will meet at Cattlemen Park on Highway 231 south of Troy. At that location, all our volunteers will be together to smoke turkeys, make green bean casseroles, pack rolls and cranberry sauce and desserts and deliver Christmas meals.”

The meals will be delivered beginning at 1 p.m. and, for those who are up early to smoke turkeys and put the meals together, there will be an on-site morning worship service.

“Already people are asking how they can be involved in Turkeys from Heaven,” Sanders said. “Right now, the need is for turkeys and donating a turkey is easy. Go to the Piggly Wiggly stores in Troy, at 231 South or South Three Notch Street, and purchase a $15 turkey.

“At the checkout, tell the cashier you are purchasing a turkey or turkeys for Turkeys from Heaven. The stores have a barcode to scan for the turkeys that will be kept frozen at the Piggly Wiggly stores and thawed for cooking on December 22.”

Sanders said the ingredients for the bean casseroles and the cranberry sauce are bought in bulk. Donations are thankfully accepted for the purchase of those items.

Those who would like to donate a non-refrigerated dessert may bring their donations to Cattlemen Park on Saturday, December 21.

Volunteers are needed to work preparing for deliveries on December 22. To volunteer, visit the Turkeys from Heaven Facebook page (TurkeysfromHeaven-Troy) and fill out the volunteer form or call Sanders at 372-4576, Janet Rawls at 372-0559 or Taylor Jinright at 268-1051.Those who would like to assist with cooking turkeys or running a grill, may contact Charles Rawls at Treecop62@gmail.com or 372-1907.

“Turkeys from Heaven” is a non-denominational, non-profit, communitywide event.

“This is a great way to really get into the Christmas spirit,” Sanders said. “We will begin the assembly line at 8 a.m. Sunday morning, December 22 and keep it going until we are finished. We will have a worship service at 10 a.m. It will be a wonderful day to be the hands and feet for Jesus.”