30 years of giving

Oceanside community donates turkeys before Thanksgiving to families in need

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More than 100 Oceanside High School students and community members loaded up their cars on Nov. 22 with 250 turkey dinners, and distributed them to the homes of families in need for the town’s 30th annual Turkey Shoot.

Despite the name, no turkeys were actually shot.

Instead, the event’s participants gathered inside the high school’s lobby to pick up baskets of turkeys and non-perishable food donated by the teens and other residents. From there, the volunteers fanned out to their assigned homes to give out the meals.

“It’s a true testament to how unique and wonderful our community is,” said OHS Associate Principal Keith Mekeel, before he and a handful of students stepped into his pickup truck and drove away to deliver a truck bed’s worth of baskets.

Each year, the Oceanside Community Service club spearheads the event, and high school student volunteers make it possible by dedicating their time to the cause. This year, OCS members compiled a list of about 250 families in need, and their addresses.

“Collated and cross referenced,” said former OCS president Robert Transom, as he tapped his pen on the list. “And always wrong,” he joked, adding there are usually a few inaccuracies.

Student Activities Director Patrick Turk handled the logistics of mobilizing an entire high school’s worth of students to collect donated food and ensure the correct number of baskets are put together for the day of the shoot.

The event serves two purposes according to Mekeel, because any leftovers go back into OCS’s pantry for use throughout the holiday season.

The Turkey Shoot has evolved since 30 years ago, when OHS dean Tony Caizza originally organized the event. Thirty-five baskets were donated to the high school, and OCS was not involved to identify the homes of families in need. Now hundreds of people take part.

“Donating food feels good,” said student government member Shannon DeFranza as she placed a basket in the back of a pickup truck. “But actually handing it to people is a completely different experience.”