More than 100 turkeys support local charities serving residents in need this Thanksgiving
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — Governor Albert Bryan Jr. today joined members of the Virgin Islands Palestinian Friendship Association at Government House on St. Croix for a turkey giveaway that provided more than 100 turkeys to nonprofit organizations that serve residents in need across the island.
The donation supported a number of St. Croix charities, including Catholic Charities of the Virgin Islands, Lutheran Social Services, My Brother’s Table, St. Croix Mission, the Lighthouse Mission and the Women’s Coalition of St. Croix. The organizations will use the turkeys to provide holiday meals and other assistance to individuals and families facing hardship this Thanksgiving.
Governor Bryan thanked the Virgin Islands Palestinian Friendship Association for choosing to partner with his office to support community-based organizations on St. Croix.
“I want to extend my sincere thanks to the Virgin Islands Palestinian Friendship Association for their generosity and for their willingness to serve alongside us,” Governor Bryan said. “They first reached out about donating turkeys to my staff for the holidays. I told them that while we appreciated the gesture, I wanted us instead to partner to donate those turkeys to nonprofits that provide meals and critical services to people in their time of need. I wanted these turkeys to go to the people who are really in need this Thanksgiving.”
Governor Bryan said the partnership reflects the spirit of the season and the values that define the Virgin Islands community.
“On St. Croix and across our territory, we are at our best when we are looking out for one another,” the governor said. “These organizations stand in the gap every day for our neighbors who are struggling. It is an honor to support their work and to join with the Virgin Islands Palestinian Friendship Association to make sure more families can sit down to a warm Thanksgiving meal this year.”
The governor also thanked the staff and volunteers from each of the participating organizations for their ongoing service and encouraged residents who are able to continue supporting local charities throughout the holiday season and beyond.
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Photo caption: Gov. Albert Bryan Jr., left, poses with Brenda Charles of Catholic Charities of the Virgin Islands and Virgin Islands Palestinian Friendship Association members Sirri Hamad, Najeh Abdallah, Sharif Shabana, Sa’di Jawad and Ahmad Hussein at Government House on St. Croix during the Governor’s Turkey Giveaway on Wednesday.