First Turkey and a Twenty drive of the season

Our first Turkey and a Twenty drive happened over the weekend just past.   Team Paragon, the high school robotics team  from Windsor, sponsored the drive and Kim Hammersmith sent in this report:

“FIRST Team Paragon is a high school robotics team that accepts any high school student from any school.  We also accept any mentors who have a desire to tinker in mechanical, electrical, programming, web or administrative items.  One of the requirements for the students to be on the team is community service.  Each student learns the benefits of giving back, both for others and themselves.

“Despite the events of the week that storm Alfred brought our way, FIRST Team Paragon decided that we needed to go through with our Turkey and $20 drive on Saturday, November 5.  The Team met on the green in Windsor.  The signs of the storm were around us, including trees down on the green.  While we had all been without power and the other luxuries of life for most of the week and we all had trees to clean up, we decided that the recipients from the food drives did without many things a lot of the time, so we had no choice but to proceed with the drive.  We were lucky enough to have a beautiful day, thankfully.  It was a very slow start, with only 1 turkey and 2 twenties over the first 3 hours.  Regardless, the kids kept the energy strong.  As is always the case, there are stories to be told. 

1) A CL & P worker, truck and all, pulled into our area, and stated:" I don't carry turkeys in my truck, but I do carry twenties" and made a donation.
2) An AT& T worker in truck donated to one of the students at the road side.
3) One lady approached us indicating that she is the recipient of food stamps and would like to donate to the drive.  She required a cane to assist with her balance so she could not get the turkeys on her own.  She took one of the adults to the grocery store across the street and purchased 5 turkeys for the drive.  She felt that she had to share what she had with those that had even less.
4) One lady pulled aside the road and apologized for not having a turkey for us, but donated $30 to the drive and thanked the Team for their efforts.  Later in the day, the same lady pulled aside the road to us again, this time donating a turkey and another $20. 

“Throughout the day we had multiple people make donations.  We successfully raised $600 and 15 turkeys. 

“We continue to accept donations through the web site to support Foodshare.”