San Francisco Fire and Police Department Carve Record Number of Turkeys for Salvation Army

Nov. 25, 2009 - PRLog -- SAN FRANCISCO: It was a record breaking day at the 49th annual Salvation Army Turkey Carving at the Harbor Light Center in San Francisco.  Over 50 members of the San Francisco Fire Department, Police Department and U.S. Naval Recruiting office were on hand to carve 400 turkeys in preparation for The Salvation Army’s annual Thanksgiving meal delivery to homebound seniors and shut-ins.  

“We’re so blessed to have safety officials that care both about protecting us and supporting those less fortunate,” said Major Preston Rider, The Salvation Army’s San Francisco Metro Coordinator.  “It’s a true gift to San Francisco.”

This is the largest number of turkeys ever carved at this event.  Because of poor economic conditions and a huge increase in need this Holiday Season, numbers have more than doubled from last year.

Participating turkey carvers included:
•   San Francisco Fire Chief, JoAnne Hayes-White
•   San Francisco Police Department Assistant Chief, Morris Tabak
•   San Francisco Police Department Command Staff
•   San Francisco Fire Department Command Staff
•   Firefighters from S.F.F.D Station #2
•   Bob Arzave of S.F.F.D. Station #21
•   Chief Petty Officer Guan and members of The United States Navy’s Bay Area Recruiting Office (representing The Embarcadero, Daly City, and San Mateo).

San Francisco Police Chief, George Gascón, was also on hand to survey the work of some of San Francisco’s finest public safety officials.  

The turkeys, donated by California Automobile Association, Citi, and Bi-Rite, took 6 days to cook in the Harbor Light Kitchen.  The sliced turkey will accompany stuffing, green beans, potatoes, cranberry sauce, fresh fruit and dessert – which will be packaged and delivered to nearly 6,000 homebound shut-ins and seniors on Thanksgiving Morning.

Volunteers are still needed to assist with meal delivery, which begins at 7:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving Morning at The Salvation Army’s Harbor Light Center at 1275 Harrison (at Ninth Street).

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About The Salvation Army:
Since 1883, The Salvation Army has been serving the San Francisco Bay Area, offering practical support, spiritual comfort and a critical safety net to people in need. The Army has 16 facilities throughout San Francisco providing a myriad of services, including youth programs, meal delivery, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, transitional housing, and nutritional and housing support for seniors. In 2008, The Salvation Army contributed over $26,000,000 in service to over 60,000 people in San Francisco. For more information on Salvation Army activities in San Francisco and Central California, visit online at: www.tsagoldenstate.org.