For the second year, Bay Equity Home Loans and Off the Hook Meat Shop are donating turkeys to West Valley teachers this fall.
This year’s giveaway is 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 20, at Bay Equity Home Loans, 14419 W. McDowell Road, Goodyear.
The event is focused on alleviating some of the teachers’ stress, especially after being stretched thin during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It started when my daughter went back to school last year and we both saw that teachers were struggling and feeling the pain of this pandemic,” said Bay Equity area manager Kevin Grampp.
“We thought that we needed to do something to say thank you to all the teachers for what they do for the students in the community. My family tree is jam packed with schoolteachers and this personally means a lot to me. The Turkey for Teachers event was designed to give back to our teachers, who are the real heroes in our community during this pandemic.”
Last year, thanks to $20,000 in donations from Bay Equity Home Loans, Off the Hook Meat Shop and other local partners, 930 turkeys were gifted during the drive-thru event. This year, the goal is to reach $25,000 in donations and hand out more than 1,500 turkeys.
“I like to say that people like to be on the winning team, and Kevin is a winner, and his project is a winner. Our teachers were so excited about the turkeys,” said Shelly Hornback, Litchfield Elementary School District community relations director.
“The second annual Turkeys for Teachers is going to be bigger. We’re raising more money, finding more partners, and sharing the message with a broader impact. With a wider platform, we’re going to be able to support more teachers and staff in our community.”
To volunteer or donate, contact Trisha Smith at Catch Three Creative at 480-228-5372 or trisha@catch3creative.com.