Tidings and Trimmings
Jaycee member Kristi Hansen checks over the contents of a Thanksgiving basket Sunday at a Delta County Airport hangar. The Jaycees distributed 350 baskets to families in need throughout the area. (Daily Press photo by Mary Ann Heath)
Jaycees supply families in need with holiday meals
November 22, 2010 - By Mary Ann Heath
ESCANABA - The Delta County Jaycees gathered at an airport hangar Sunday to continue a tradition started more than a decade ago - delivering Thanksgiving baskets to families in need throughout the area.
As early as 7:30 a.m., volunteers from the organization began loading a truck full of turkeys and all the trimmings. The Jaycees, a group more than 50 members strong, spent all morning and the better part of the afternoon boxing up traditional Thanksgiving meals, loading them into vehicles and delivering the goods to families throughout Delta County.
Jaycee member and organizer Tanya Schuster said this year around 350 families received baskets, which included turkey, potatoes, stuffing, vegetables, cranberries, buns, butter and, of course, pumpkin pie and Cool Whip.
Schuster said her favorite part of the event is when the packages are delivered and families express their appreciation.
"The reason we started doing this is so families could all be together, having dinner," she said.
Schuster, a 14-year member, said the most baskets the group has ever delivered is 500. The project is the Jaycees' largest event of the year. Baskets are purchased with the proceeds from Jaycee fund-raising events, especially the annual duck races in August. A list of families in need is gathered from referrals received from various organizations in the community.
Jaycees purchase the goods from local businesses.