The annual James Brown Turkey Giveaway is around the corner, but the guidelines are slightly different this year.
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To receive a turkey, participants must register from 9 to 11 a.m. Oct. 15, 22 or 29 at Dyess Park on James Brown Boulevard.
Recipients must provide ID and a utility bill. Only one turkey is allowed per household, according to a news release.
Those who register can pick up a turkey at the annual James Brown Turkey Giveaway at 9 a.m. Nov. 21 at Dyess Park. Recipients must show an ID to receive a turkey, said Deanna Brown-Thomas, daughter of the late entertainer.
“This is the first year we’ve ever registered,” Brown-Thomas said. “The economy has made it tough to get donations. Daddy used to just write a check and make it easy for us, and those days are gone now. So we’ve got to find a way to be sure that people who truly need the help get it.”
Each year, it has become more difficult to supply the turkeys. Even when her father started the turkey giveaway in 1990, the rules were the same: one turkey per household.
Brown-Thomas said the Brown Family Children Foundation has given out 800 to 1,000 turkeys a year since 2007. Her father died Dec. 25, 2006.
“There are people out there that like to manipulate systems that are in place to help others. That’s the problem here,” Brown-Thomas said. “We’ve got people with two or three to a household, and they’re all in line to get a turkey. If you’ve got three turkeys going to one house, then two other families have missed out. And that’s just not fair. I want to help as many people as I can, and I want to be fair about it.”
Sponsors and donors also want to be sure the turkeys are “going to those who truly need them.”
Last year, the foundation started registration for the James Brown Toy Giveaway, which worked out well, she said.
People can still register on the day of the turkey giveaway, but they will not be guaranteed of receiving a turkey. The foundation is not yet sure how many turkeys will be available because that number is based on donations, Brown-Thomas said.
“So, you want to get there on these three days that we have set aside for registration to ensure that you will receive a turkey,” she said.
To make donations, visit the Brown Family Children Foundation Web site at jamesbrownfamilyfdn.org or give to the Brown Family Children Foundation at any First Bank of Georgia branch.
Donations also may be mailed to:
• James Brown Family Children Foundation Inc., P.O. Box 652, Clearwater, SC 29822
• James Brown Family Children Foundation Inc., c/o First Bank of Georgia, 1580 Walton Way, Augusta, GA 30904
Boy do I feel like a sap. I went out and bought mine yesterday.
Mayor Copenhaver-Boardman is such a good Democrat. He fits right in with Al Sharpton. It looks like Comcast donated those turkeys. Think that's kind of like a tax to be able to lay cable lines in the county? Or do you think they just do it out of the goodness of their hearts?
What does it matter to you what their reason(s) are? If you do not want to contribute, don't.
Funny how many democrats say that requiring and ID to vote is discrimination or racist and yet now they require one for a free turkey.
As for Comcast, Kudos to anyone who donates to help others...I am all for charity which works far better than excessive taxation of hard working americans to give to non productive citizens.
Asitis..you took the words right out of my mouth! As soon as I read this, the voter-id-registration issue came to my mind. NOW "they" are seeing the need and wisdom of it? Maybe next time this comes up, people can say "Well, you gotta show an i.d. to get a turkey. Maybe we should have to show an i.d. to VOTE for a turkey!".
I am glad to see that the process has been changed.
Since I heard a woman bragging about being in the front of the line to get hers (this woman was actually working as a store clerk and entertaining her co-workers with her story). She seemed to think she had been smart, getting ahead of the old, the handicapped and the NEEDY!
Fraud is a common practice now, take nothing for granted. Require I.D.!
I start in Jan.each yr. and put a dime a day into a jar,thats three dollars a month.I do this in case something happens and I cant get a free turkey.
Where do you go to get an I.D. that says you are NEEDY?
allhans, unfortunately that element is pervasive in our society. I went to a political rally a couple of years back, and they had free hotdogs and drinks for the attendees. I was there late, so stood at the back of the crowd close to the refreshment tables. I was shocked at the number of people who came through the door, picked up their free hotdog, and walked right back out.
Good for Ms. Brown-Thomas for not letting system abusers ruin things for everyone. Hopefully the same will be done with all of the Christmas give-aways.
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