Alaskan turkey drop brings Thanksgiving cheer from above
Thanksgiving, which takes place on the last Thursday of November, is the most important holiday for many Americans, often anticipated even more than Christmas. On this occasion, as part of the "Alaskan Turkey Drop" initiative, turkeys will quite literally fall from the sky for some.
28 November 2024 12:19
The first harvest festival of the Plymouth Colony settlers took place in 1621, and Thanksgiving commemorates that event. It is a time when families and friends gather to feast, express gratitude, and enjoy each other’s company. Many also use the time off for family vacations and trips.
Thanksgiving – an integral part of American culture
For those who stay home, the traditional feast includes a roasted turkey. Another important tradition associated with this bird is the President of the United States pardoning two turkeys each year, which, instead of ending up on the dinner table, are sent to a university in North Carolina.
This year, turkeys will even fall from the sky quite literally. Thanks to the efforts of pilot and volunteer Esther Keim, residents of remote parts of Alaska will receive frozen turkeys for Thanksgiving. As part of the "Alaskan Turkey Drop" initiative, Keim delivers holiday food to areas where no roads lead.
An interesting initiative
Esther Keim, who currently lives in a city, understands the difficulties of isolated living well. She grew up on a remote farm in Alaska, where access to civilization was limited. Many places in the state are only accessible by air or snowmobiles.
The initiative's inspiration came from a story years ago: Keim learned that a certain family from an isolated farm would not have a turkey for their holiday table. She then decided to use her plane to airdrop them frozen meat.
Thanks to social media, the initiative quickly grew. Every Thanksgiving, Keim delivers holiday meals to up to 40 households that are inaccessible by road. Sometimes, she flies alone; other times, she flies with a friend—one pilot while the other drops the packages.
Before each flight, Keim coordinates with the families to arrange a delivery time. He explains that he ensures someone is outside to retrieve the turkey, as it would be nearly impossible to locate, if they missed seeing where it landed.
Delivery and purchase of the turkeys are funded by donations from kind-hearted individuals. Keim plans to establish a non-profit organization to gather more support and expand her initiative.
