Thanks to the generosity of community members across Washington County, this year’s annual Turkey-A-Thon was another tremendous success, raising $40,538, and donations are still coming in. The event surpassed its goal of $40,000, an especially meaningful achievement given today’s economic challenges. This year’s total also exceeded last year’s record-breaking amount, reflecting the continued commitment of neighbors helping neighbors throughout the region.
On Friday, Oct. 10, teams of enthusiastic volunteers from local schools, businesses, organizations and the community at large, together with employees from Classic Hits 92.7/95.3 FM Radio, Dunkin’ in Calais and Machias, V.L. Tammaro in Calais and Baileyville and Healthy Acadia, were stationed at seven sites across Washington County to collect donations for local food pantries. All funds from this annual event are distributed to community food security organizations.
Classic Hits 92.7/95.3 FM Radio, broadcasting live from the Dunkin’ studio at V.L Tammaro in Calais, kept the momentum throughout the day, encouraging a little friendly competition as collection sites reported their tallies hourly via phone.
Every dollar raised through the Turkey-A-Thon will be used to purchase gift certificates from local grocery stores that will be distributed among the ten Washington County food pantries, emergency school backpack programs and other food cupboards. The gift certificates will help ensure that local families in need enjoy a healthy holiday meal. Community members can support their local food pantry by donating directly any time of the year.
Classic Hits 92.7/95.3, Dunkin’ in Calais and Machias, VL Tammaro in Woodland and in Calais and Healthy Acadia would like to thank all those who generously donated and/or volunteered their time during the event.
“Thank you so much to each and every one of you who volunteered at one of our seven collection locations, and to our schools, civic organizations, businesses, and to all the individuals who made generous donations,” said Jeff Demmons, who has been the lead organizer of the annual event since its inception. “Thanks to all of you, many families will have a healthy meal on their holiday table that may not have been possible before.”
If your school, business, organization, or group would like to support the 22nd Annual Turkey-a-Thon, scheduled for Oct. 9, 2026, email Jasmine Haines at [email protected] or Jeff Demmons at [email protected].
Healthy Acadia is a 501(C)(3) community health organization building vibrant communities and making it easier for all people to lead healthy lives throughout Washington and Hancock counties. For more information about Healthy Acadia’s efforts to address food insecurity and other health initiatives, visit www.healthyacadia.org.
