For the fourth straight year, Petal supporters and businesses will be asked to donate during the holiday season to provide turkeys for the city’s first-responders as part of “Giving Thanks for Petal’s Daily Heroes.”
Valerie Wilson, executive director of the Petal Area Chamber of Commerce, said the 86 men and women of the Petal Fire Department, Petal Police Department, and the Petal School District Police Department should be honored for their dedication.
“They have to work during the holidays,” she said. “Most of them have to work overtime during the holidays, and that’s when we’re enjoying ourselves. So, that’s the least that we can do, to help them enjoy the holidays.”
Sponsors are being sought to provide funds for a Thanksgiving turkey for the first-responders’ enjoyment. A donation of $20 will buy a certificate from Corner Market for a 12- to 14-pound turkey.
Wilson said the police personnel, firefighters, and school police should see that they are appreciated for their work during the holidays, so residents can enjoy theirs. Having to work during the current pandemic situation means work is more difficult.
“This is tough right now more than ever,” she said. “They need to know that we support them and we appreciate them and that we care for them. We hope that we will meet our goal this year, but we have never not met our goal.”
Wilson said the turkeys can be held until Christmas for the first-responders. “Turkeys can sit in a freezer a long time,” she said.
Donations will be collected at the Petal Area Chamber of Commerce. For more information call Wilson at 601-583-3306 or email info@petalchamber.com.