Soul singer's turkeys go fast at giveaway

Web posted November 26, 1998

By Alisa DeMao
Staff Writer

The birds flew too fast for some to catch them.

Stragglers missed out on soul singer James Brown's annual turkey giveaway at Dyess Park on Wednesday, when Augusta residents began lining up almost three hours early to bag one of the frozen birds. It took less than half an hour to pass out more than 600 turkeys, most bought by the Godfather of Soul. Three grocery stores also donated turkeys.

Mr. Brown, on tour in Europe, couldn't make it back to Augusta for the annual event, but he sent another celebrity in his place: the Rev. Al Sharpton, who donned latex gloves to distribute the frozen birds with Mayor-elect Bob Young and other city leaders. The Rev. Sharpton said he responded immediately when Mr. Brown asked him to help.

``This is what the holiday is all about -- helping people,'' he said. ``I'm going home tonight to do the same thing at my headquarters in Harlem.''

About 40 people at the end of the line arrived too late to get turkeys, but workers took up a collection to try buying more.

Linda Redic showed up with her 9-year-old daughter, Javossiya, about half an hour before the giveaway started at 11 a.m. and managed to get a turkey this year. Twice before, she showed up too late, she said.

``There's really no telling how many people I'll be feeding,'' she said with a laugh as she waited at a bus stop beside the park. ``Family members, friends, whosoever wants to come, let them come.''

Alisa DeMao can be reached at (706) 823-3223 or newsroom@augustachronicle.com.