LAURINBURG — Tiffany McNair, a group of her friends and other volunteers teamed up on Sunday to give out free turkeys to Scotland County residents. Within the first 12 minutes, supplies were exhausted.
“We had no idea this event was going to be so accepted by members of the community,” said McNair. “We had people who were lined up at 12:50 p.m. and we were not even set to start until 4 p.m.
“Between the amazing numbers we had to show up and the Scotland County Sheriffs Office’s awesome support we were able to move traffic quickly and efficiently,” continued McNair. “Everyone worked so well together. The group efforts of everyone are what really helped this event be so successful.”
McNair and her team of volunteers started off with 148 turkeys and hams that were brought with them all the way from Texas.
“Within those 12 minutes, all the meat was gone — but we still had a very long line of people who were hoping to get a turkey as well,” said McNair. “So immediately everyone went into action. People were giving donations and asking if they needed to go pick up more turkeys.”
Along with the turkeys, each recipient was also given a tin pan to cook it in and McNair said they were just as excited about it as they were the turkey.
“Before it was over with, we completely cleaned out all the grocery stores in the area and by the end of the event, we were able to give out a total of 261 turkeys, hams and hens,” said McNair. “It was just amazing.”
McNair also expressed the only downside was that she could not help everyone.
“We did have to turn some of them away,” said McNair. “I hated that. I also had people sending me messages to my inbox asking if I was still in town and if we had any left or knew of a way they could get one. It broke my heart to not do anything for them, but there was nothing I could do.”
The event, according to McNair, “went off without a hitch,” and she is thankful for key players who made it all work out.
“Commissioner Darrell “B.J. Gibson really helped us out,” McNair said. “He helped us secure the high school as our distribution point. Also, a special thanks to Carli C’s IGA for their help when we were looking for more meat to hand out.
“There is no way for me to list everyone, but know I am appreciative to everyone,” continued McNair. “I do hope to do something like this again in the future.”
JJ Melton can be reached at jmelton@laurinburgexch.wpenginepowered.com.