EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. – On Friday, November 21, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Sierra (BBBSNS) united with the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office and other local partners to allocate 1500 turkeys to local charities and community members throughout the county, with 500 of those turkeys distributed in South Lake Tahoe, for their annual El Dorado County Community Turkey Drive. 

“Our community truly came together in the most heartwarming way, distributing hundreds of turkeys to brighten the holidays for local families,” said Dina Gentry, Director of Development at BBBSNS. 

With the support of Kings Meats who provided turkeys for the drive as well as many community members who have been purchasing turkeys for months, the El Dorado County Community Turkey Drive was a major success.

“We are incredibly pleased with the outcome. The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office served as the central hub, and their volunteers and officers worked side-by-side in an extremely efficient assembly line to load turkeys into vehicles with care and genuine kindness,” Gentry said. “It was inspiring to witness.”

Sgt. Kyle Parker with the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office said, “We’re in a community that truly looks out for one another. A community we’re truly blessed to serve, and to be a part of. When it comes down to it, that is the key thing. The community as a whole will make this season, and every day of the year, better.”

Among the support for the drive were High Sierra Industries, the El Dorado Community Foundation, Stacie Walls of Toys for Tots, and the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Association. “Their collaboration made this event truly special,” added Gentry.

BBBSNS, the nation’s largest non-profit youth mentoring organization, proves to be a staple for communities including El Dorado County. Through events like the Turkey Drive and Giving Tuesday, they aim to nurture a stable financial foundation. “While the day was a tremendous success, the biggest challenge we continue to face is sustaining family engagement activities like this throughout the year. That’s why Giving Tuesday is so important for us. We’re working toward a $100,000 goal to ensure our mentoring programs and family events can continue to thrive,” Gentry said.

Donations to Giving Tuesday can be made until December 2 by visiting https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/defenders-of-potential.

“We’re deeply grateful for this community and hopeful that, together, we can keep uplifting local families — not just during the holidays, but all year long,” said Gentry.

To learn more about BBBSNS, their mission, or to donate, go to bbbsns.org