Crews join in plucky challenge
Law enforcement helps with annual turkey drive
In the spirit of a friendly and festive holiday competition, Yuma County Sheriff Leon Wilmot challenged the chiefs of the Yuma, Somerton and San Luis Police Departments earlier this month to donate a turkey to News 11’s annual Share Your Holiday Turkey Drive, which benefited the Crossroads Mission.
Yuma Police Chief John Lekan was the first to respond to the challenge, purchasing two turkeys and two large bags of cheese, which prompted other officers to try to “one-up” him in a fun way.
According to YPD spokesperson Sgt. Lori Franklin, officers who work the graveyard shift bought more than 12 turkeys and delivered them to the Walmart at 2900 S. Pacific Ave. on Friday, Nov. 16.
Customers who happened to be shopping there that night saw a long line of patrol cars from YPD, with their emergency lights flashing, parked in front of the store’s entrance while the turkeys were being dropped off.
The Share Your Holiday Turkey Drive was held that day from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., with the Walmart at 8151 E. 32nd St. in the Foothills serving as a second donation site. The goal was to collect turkeys for the Crossroads Mission’s 3 Days of Thanksgiving and 3 Days of Christmas events, which feeds families in need.
Cash donations and nonperishable food items were also accepted during the turkey drive.
Never ones to shy away from a challenge, San Luis Police Chief Richard Jessup and Somerton Police Chief Joseph A. Turitto stepped up as well. Both posted videos of themselves buying turkeys to their respective department’s Facebook pages.
YCSO spokesman Alfonso Zavala explained that Sheriff Wilmot and the other police chiefs wanted to do their part to fight hunger during the holiday season and help families throughout the county.
With that done, Chief Turitto is now out for blood and is issuing a challenge of his own.
He has challenged Sheriff Wilmot, Chief Lekan and Chief Jessup to donate blood during the Somerton Police Department’s blood drive.
The blood drive, which benefits United Blood Services, is being held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 13 at the Somerton Police Department.