Prevention center putting turkey dinners on bare holiday tables

The Maricopa Prevention Resource Center’s annual Turkey Drive is once again in full swing.

Each year for over 20 years the prevention center and Maricopa Ak-Chin CAASA have been sponsoring a fundraiser to ensure that needy families in the community have a bountiful holiday meal.

This year there are several families who have been referred to the prevention center, and each will receive a complete, pre-cooked dinner. Each dinner costs about $60.

“We are hoping to supply complete turkey meals, including all of the side dishes, dessert and milk to forty families in need,” said Prevention Coordinator Priscilla Behnke.

SADD (Students Against Drunk Driving) students will be assisting with collecting donations and also with the delivery and distribution of the dinners in time for the holiday.

The students will be asking friends, families, neighbors, local businesses, school staff and clubs to donate. In addition, they will utilize money from their own fundraisers to purchase the holiday meals.

Behnke added, “If anyone in the community is aware of a family in need, they may call the prevention center at (520) 568-7100, ext 3095. Community members can contact the center to make a donation, and donations can be dropped off at Maricopa Wells Middle School, or they can be picked up.”

The Turkey Drive is going strong, but as Behnke reminds potential donors, “Every penny counts.”

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