Local Businesses Sponsor 3rd Annual Turkey Run for St. Croix’s Underserved Populations

ST. CROIX – For the third year in a row, management and staff of O’Neale’s Transport partnered with Cost-U-Less on St. Croix to organize a special Thanksgiving “Turkey Run,” a press release issued by Lutheran Services of the Virgin Islands this afternoon has made known. This year, with the help of additional corporate sponsors, O’Neale’s Transport and Cost-U-Less donated and delivered a total of 79 frozen turkeys to nonprofit organizations serving the St. Croix’s most vulnerable populations.

On Thursday, November 19, 2015, employees of the participating businesses joined together to host the Turkey Run and made deliveries local nonprofits and service-based agencies: Bethlehem House, Dept. of Human Services’ Youth Rehabilitation Center, Eagle’s Nest, Herbert Grigg Home for the Aged, Lighthouse Mission, My Brother’s Table, Virgin Islands Volunteer Advocates for Children (CASA), Woman’s Coalition, Youth With A Mission, Catholic Charities, and various residential housing programs of Lutheran Social Services of the Virgin Islands.

The Turkey Run partnership began two years ago when O’Neale’s Transport reached out to Cost-U-Less to purchase turkeys for the event, and Cost-U-Less offered to match each purchased turkey with a donated turkey for the cause. This year, the Turkey Run has expanded with additional support from Centerline Car Rentals, J. Benton Construction, Quality Electric, and VI Regulated Waste Management.

“It is our goal to add more companies to our growing list of participants,” said Patrick Nugent, General Manager of O’Neale’s Transport. “I know everyone who participates in the actual delivery ‘run’ of the turkeys are already talking about next year’s ‘Turkey Run.’ It is truly a wonderful experience to be able to provide the turkeys to these worthy and noble causes.”

Mary Clarke, Director of Housing Management Division of Lutheran Social Services of the Virgin Islands added, “We are so thankful for the thoughtfulness and generosity of our friends at O’Neale’s Transport and Cost-U-Less for including the residents we serve at Lutheran Social Services’ housing programs. The donated turkeys will be used for the Thanksgiving dinners and Christmas celebrations we host for the residents we care for at Ginger Thomas Group Home, Genip Gardens, Bougainvillea Gardens, Danish Gardens Flambouyant Gardens, and Queen Louise Home for Children. This is a wonderful showing of support from St. Croix’s business community and we hope that this project inspires peace and goodwill towards all Virgin Islanders.”

About Lutheran Social Services

Lutheran Social Services of the V. I., Inc. is the largest private social service agency in the Virgin Islands that has five housing complexes for low income seniors and adults with disabilities; a safe haven for neglected, abused and severely disabled children; and two 24-hour residential care facilities for adults with disabilities unable to live independently. Early Head Start and AmeriCorps are also programs of LSSVI. Lutheran Social Services of the V. I., Inc. is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Feature Image: ‘Turkey Run’ organizers donate frozen turkeys to Lutheran Social Services of the Virgin Islands.  Pictured from left:  Patrick Nugent of O’Neale’s Transport; Wayne Myers of O’Neale’s Transport; Vaughn Dorado of Cost-U-Less; John Allison of Cost-U-Less; Regina Dorado, volunteer; and Chamoni Weekes of Centerline Car Rentals. 

Image Credit: Lutheran Services.