TorHoerman Law is hosting its eighth annual Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway on Nov. 20 at 10 a.m. at the Alton Amphitheater.
The law firm will give away 500 turkeys and will have a raffle with other prizes and items.
The event will be a drive-thru style and contactless due to continued concerns regarding COVID-19 in an effort to maintain social distancing. All staff participants and attendees will be required to wear masks.
Attendees will be able to remain in their vehicles the entire time as they drive through to pick up a turkey at the Amphitheater, located at 1 Riverfront Drive in Alton.
“This is the second turkey giveaway hosted with COVID precautions in mind, serving as a reminder that the community is still feeling the varying effects of the pandemic,” the press release states. “THL hopes that the event can help ease the financial burden of the holiday and give attendees peace of mind to celebrate safely with friends and family.”
The event, which began in 2014, is supported by local organizations and businesses, including the Alton Police Department, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, Walton Telken, Paszkiewicz Litigation Services, the Lane family, Urban League, Source Juicery and Robert Chick Fritz.
“The unsung heroes of the Turkey Giveaway are the sponsors,” attorney and president of the TorHoerman Law Employee Foundation Tyler Schneider stated in a press release. “They play such a huge role in helping us to get through this process. They are the wheels that keep us moving forward.”
The successful event has grown over the years, and TorHoerman employees said they have seen the positive effects it has had on the community.
“It’s very satisfying personally to be a part of an event where we can give some support to those in the community who might be having a difficult time,” stated attorney Eric Terry. “I first realized how impactful the event was when someone told me that because of the event, they were able to have a traditional Thanksgiving for the first time in a couple of years.”
According to the press release, 12 percent of Madison County families face difficulty in obtaining consistent meals. The turkey giveaway aims to provide a free Thanksgiving dinner to families who may be struggling.
“The Turkey Giveaway is important because we are able to provide Thanksgiving dinners to households that may not have enough in their budget to purchase a turkey and other food,” stated paralegal and event organizer Kristie Stephens. “This could make a difference in deciding whether to buy medicine or pay a bill. This will be one less thing to worry about as the holiday season approaches.”
TorHoerman Law hopes to expand the turkey giveaway.
“The only thing that can make this giveaway better is to let it grow,” Schneider stated. “More community involvement, more donations, and more people allow us to expand our reach and help more people. It’s power in numbers.”