It was a day of giving back in B.C. on Saturday and it came in the form of 200 turkey dinners.
A total of 100 turkeys were given away in Penticton and another 100 were donated in Princeton by Ideal Energy and RPR Heating. And as people drove by in their cars to pick up their holiday dinners on a cold, snowy day, it was clear the giveback was real.
It’s something that Ideal Energy and RPR Heating owner Leanne Diack will never get sick of.
“It’s nice to be able to do this for people,” she said. “It’s just a happy day of appreciation and a way for us to give back to the community.”
Diack’s involvement in the giveback began in June of 2020, shortly after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Over 100 sets of groceries were given away to people in need a year and a half ago. But today, it was all about ensuring the traditional holiday dinner would make it on kitchen tables across both Penticton and Princeton.
“It’s just a way to give back to the community that supports us and a way for us to say thank you and happy holidays,” she added. “We’re happy to be able to do this.”
The 100th person who pulled into Ideal Energy’s office in Penticton to pick up their turkey asked Diack’s staff whether the event was a fundraiser.
She got a fast response from one particular staff member whose role was to bring people their dinners.
“No, we’re just giving back to the community.”
The turkey giveaway in Penticton started at 10 a.m. on Saturday at 300 Warren Ave. (Dec. 18), while the event began at 1:30 p.m. in Princeton at 209 Bridge Street.
With snow on the ground and Diack in the holiday spirit, there was only one way she could sum up the event while speaking to the Western News on Saturday.
“It’s a magical day, for sure.”
READ MORE: 200 Christmas meals to be handed out in Penticton and Princeton