Cinda Young, 73, receives a free turkey from volunteers Andrea Watson, left, and Xavier Blews, representing the Grapevine Center in Butler, on Tuesday. Young is retired, on food stamps, and on a fixed income. She told the Butler Eagle, "Money doesn't go as far as it used to." Cary Shaffer/Butler Eagle

A man wearing an inflatable turkey costume paced the streets of Butler on Tuesday evening, passing out smaller turkeys for families needing to gobble this holiday season.

That man was Richard Blews, peer support program manager at the Grapevine Center. The opportunity to spread some holiday spirit is what he considers a dream come true.

“When I was younger, we didn’t have a lot of money. My mom got a free turkey for Thanksgiving one year; I remember that look in her eye,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to do a turkey giveaway.”

More than 400 turkeys, ranging from 14 to 24 pounds, were distributed by Blews and a dozen volunteers to Butler city residents.

The frozen birds were given to the center anonymously, Blews said. After setting some aside for its Thanksgiving celebration, the volunteers took to the streets.

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