RICHMOND, Va. -- Police saved Thanksgiving after crooks stole turkeys from the Fairfield Court Community Association Friday night. Police said the crooks made off 11 birds and the trimmings meant for folks in need. The theft meant Thanksgiving might have been ruined for people like Denise Washington.
"They don't hurt one person, they hurt the community,” she said.
But the Richmond Police Department stepped up to save Thanksgiving.
Donations
Richmond Police Lt. Jody Blackwell posted on Facebook asking for donations, and those donations continued to pour in on Sunday. In fact, one man brought 10 turkeys to help.
"I actually got a phone call from a man out in Austin, Texas,” Lt. Blackwell said. “He wouldn't take no for an answer.”
In all, more than 40 turkeys were donated and delivered to the Fairfield Court Tenant Council Sunday afternoon.
Lt. Jody Blackwell and Joanne Towles
When Lt. Blackwell hugged Joanne Towles, the woman in charge of handing out Thanksgiving donations, she was overcome with emotion.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you,” she said through tears. “Ya’ll just don’t know how good I feel right now.”
Police are still looking for the turkey thieves. The message is that while turkeys may have been stolen, the spirit of Thanksgiving was not, for Ms. Washington or anyone else.
“I can cook,” she laughed. “I can fix a turkey thanks to them.”
If you have information that could help police, call Crime Stoppers at 804-780-1000. Anyone with additional information can submit a news tip or photo here.
Quote inside RPD headquarters.
