This is what 214 turkeys looks like!!!

Thanks to you we collected 214 turkeys that will be distributed throughout Sonoma County to feed our neighbors in need!  I am so grateful and humbled to be a part of this event.  However, there wouldn't be any turkey party without you and your turkeys that you bring and the time you spend and the food provided by all of the restaurants!  Please stop and say thank you to these restaurants when you next stop in!  Thank you just doesn't seem like its sufficient to express the gratitude for your participation in this year's event!   Make sure you visit our donating restaurants and donors and say thank you - we need to support community oriented businesses!!

A New Restaurant Joins In!

I can't even begin to tell you how emotional this week has been for me.  It started out with an email I received from someone who's life has been touched by The Turkey Party in the past and how grateful he is for you all - you who come and bring turkeys, shop the vendors and support the wonderful work of the Redwood Gospel Mission.  Yes, the email was sent to me, but without you, there is absolutely nothing I can do - without God, there is truly nothing I can do.  But with Him, I can - we can do ALL things!  And this Sunday we are going to do a wonderful thing - we are going to feed people!  And today, at the first "turkey event" of this weekend at Harvest Christian School I met a young man who's life is being changed, renewed, restored!  The Redwood Gospel Mission's rehab program is amazing and God is so present there, changing hearts and lives!  So excited to support such an amazing Mission!  Tell your friends and family!  We can do amazing things this weekend!

6 More Days!!!!

Thanksgiving is the one day that really hasn't been taken over by mass marketing and commercialism.  I think that's why it's my favorite holiday!  There's no gifts, no real shopping to do, no pressure, just a great traditional meal served to family and friends.  A moment to share time together and to reflect on the things we have to be grateful for; because even in the tough times, there is always something to be thankful for.  Really, a traditional Thanksgiving dinner is a simple meal:  turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, a vegetable dish and pie!  But this simple meal evokes memories that last a lifetime.  Most people, when I ask them about Thanksgiving, smile, before saying even the first word.  This simple dinner is powerful!   Together, we can help to ensure that everyone who needs this simple meal, this special food memory has this opportunity.  The wonderful, generous participating restaurants are lined up.  The vendors are ready!  The raffle is going to be amazing!  Now, all we need is you, your friends, your family and your frozen turkeys!  See you on Sunday!  Thank you from the bottom of my heart.  Your generosity is wonderful to see and humbling!

New Donors!!

I absolutely love Petaluma!  We are a community of wonderfully involved people totally dedicated to making our little spot of earth we call home a better place to be!  Everyone I meet has their passion project, a cause that grabs their heart and won't let go!  I can't even believe how perfect that is - that we were all created that way, so that we, as a community can meet the needs of those in need all around us.  This town is especially filled with businesses who have those same hearts, who jump in to help where there is need!  Our newest donating restaurants and groceries fit that description perfectly.  Pongos Kitchen, Lily Kai, Viva Cocolat and G & G Market.  Places that define community spirit!  Please take a look at this list on the right of this blog - visit these places, thank the owners, make them your neighborhood hangouts!  We need to appreciate these community service oriented businesses!

Raffle!!!!

That's right!  Amazing, don't you think?  This year we are having a raffle!The items will be amazing, you don't want to miss this!!

Have a look around this post to see some of the items that will be raffled at the Turkey Party!  We have a mini shoot with an 8x10 from Gina Petersen photography! A magnum of Hook and Ladder Pinot Noir 2011, an item of jewelry from Premier Designs Jewelry and gift certificates from Hobby Town!  I am completely humbled by the wonderful donations that got this raffle started!  So many reasons to come to the Turkey Party on November 11th!  The food, the friends, the shopping and now a chance to win one of these wonderful items!!  Oh, and don't forget the opportunity to make someone else's Thanksgiving meal complete!

Tell your friends - repost on your Facebook page!

Let's make this year's 

Turkey Party the best ever!!!!!

Updates!

Aren't these bags adorable?  They are created by the women of the Redwood Gospel Mission, who learn to "upcycle" t-shirts that aren't usable at the thrift store to usable, functional, super cute bags!  

Some of the women from the Mission will be at the Turkey Party selling these great bags - what great Christmas gifts they will make!

Check Out What's New!

Sometimes Weddings Give Gifts Beyond the Obvious!



Last weekend I attended the wedding of dear friends.  It was a beautiful ceremony, full of love and family and friends!  Everything a wedding ought to be.  In addition to the wonderful wedding, the food was absolutely yummy!  I met the caterer, Jimmy of Jimmy's Catering and congratulated him on pulling off a difficult task - delicious buffet food!  And next thing you know - he is one of our wonderfully generous donors!  Come to the Turkey Party, now I KNOW the food will be scrumptious!  In addition to Jimmy's Catering, we are also proud, excited and humbled to announce that Chelino's Restaurant and Wild Goat Bistro are joining in!  We've also added a new vendor this year!  The Veggie Bed Company!  This company provides an eco friendly alternative to those plastic produce bags!  Take a moment to check out their website on the right side of this blog! Please add the Turkey Party to your calendar - you don't want to miss this!  We are looking forward to seeing you and your frozen turkeys on the 11th!

Thank you!!!

Thank you Velasco's!!!  I am so impressed by the generosity of this community and Teri Velasco is a perfect example of the good that can happen when a community comes together!  She is consistently "right there" when there is a need in Petaluma!  She is ready to donate her time, her food, whatever!  She is, I think, the perfect example of what community spirit is all about!  Thanks Teri!  Thank you Velasco's!!!

Update!

Here's our newest donor!

Beyond the Glory!

We are so grateful for their yearly participation!  They always send the yummiest, most wonderful bites!

We are thrilled to welcome Premier Designs Jewelry for the very first time to our Turkey Party!  Their jewels are absolutely beautiful and will make wonderful Christmas gifts!

We are absolutely humbled by the enthusiastic participation of our donors this year!  It really shows the generosity of spirit of our community to reach out and make our county a better place!  It absolutely motivates us to do better, reach higher and feed even more people this year!

Thank you all so much!  I so look forward to seeing you on November 11th!

We Have a 2012 Date!

Our First Donor!!!  Love them!!

We Have A

2012

Date!!!

Nov. 11, 2012!

It's true!  Mark your calendars for November 11, 2012!  Bring a frozen turkey, or two...or four and join in the fun!  We will be having delicious food from local restaurants and in turn, you will be helping to feed those less fortunate through the wonderful work of the Redwood Gospel Mission!  There is something magical about Thanksgiving - a unique time where we come together as families and friends and take a moment to be grateful for our many blessings.  Helping to provide that experience to others in Sonoma County is why the Turkey Party exists.  

Last year we collected 216 turkeys that were distributed throughout the county!  We are so grateful for your efforts and are so looking forward to seeing what we can accomplish this year!  

We are so looking forward to seeing you and your turkeys on November 11th!!