November 17, 2006

(Washington, DC) Ward 8 Councilmember Marion Barry today announced that on Monday, November 20, 2006 he would give away 2000 turkeys to needy families in Ward 8. The giveaway will take place from 10 am to 4 pm at Congress Heights Health Clinic 3720 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, S.E. To kick off the event, Councilmember Barry, who will be joined by Mayor Elect Adrian Fenty, will first offer remarks before giving away the turkeys. Other Councilmembers, Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners and community leaders are expected throughout the day as well.

Councilmember Barry stated: “This has become a highlight of the holiday season in ward 8 and it would not have been possible without the help of good corporate citizens like McFarlane Partners, Forest City, D.C. United and William C. Smith and Co. This is a time for our community to come together as family to help one another. This is important because as a family, we can solve some of our most difficult social and economic problems, but it begins with a selfless concern for one another.”

Volunteers from the many organizations that contributed financially to the effort will be on hand as well as from community and social organizations throughout ward 8 and the public at large. Contributors to this effort to date include: McFarlane Partners, Forest City, D.C. United, William C. Smith and Co., and McKissack and McKissack. Transportation and labor have been donated and thousands of dollars in pledges have been made, which are still pouring in.

This will be the second year in a row that Councilmember Barry has distributed such a sizable number of turkeys for people in need for the Thanksgiving holiday.

For further information, contact Keith Andrew Perry at (202) 497-0522.