A thousand families across the region are going to have a turkey dinner for the holidays thanks to the community's generousity.
With the help of several community organizations, Re/Max Realty hosted giveaways in Windsor, Belle River and Amherstburg Sunday handing out turkeys with all the fixings to those in need.
Andre Goulet helped organize the events and says it feels good to give back.
"People are just saying that they've needed help and it's great to see people in the community wanting to help. God has blessed us with so much that we just feel that it's a great thing to give back to the community. The community needs our help and I think it's so great that everybody get behind them to help."
Crystal Lister received one of the dinners and says it's a huge help this time of year.
"Really excited. I'm kind of tight on money with the bills and all the stuff going up with the hydro and everything. So it actually helps a lot. So I was really pumped because I was worried because my kids didn't get that much stuff. So now I can focus on getting them a little bit more because the food is already taken care of."
Jennifer Cassidy picked up one of the meals and says it'll be a big help.
"I'm a single mother. I work, but not all jobs pay that much money. So it's very helpful to have people step up. I've got three kids to feed. So it's not easy. It's important especially to the kids right? If it was just me I probably wouldn't care too much, but kids need that. Kids need Christmas. If you're one of the lucky ones that has the extra to give, give. There are people out there who need it."
Volunteers help with giving out 1,000 turkey dinners (Photo by AM800's Zander Broeckel)
John Habib volunteered in packing and handing out the dinners and says it just feels right to help out.
"For me, it's about just giving back. It's about helping others and I really, truly believe that's what the spirit of Christmas is about. It's not about gifts. It's not about going to the stores. It's really about helping people and who need the help and it's about just giving it back. That's all it's about."
One thousand turkey dinners were given away Sunday (Photo by AM800's Zander Broeckel)
Glen Muir is with Re/Max and says he's been getting tons of thank you's.
"It's definitely the people in need that don't have the extra to have a nice meal. They're very, very thankful. You look at the people, they're not pulling up in cars. They're getting off buses to pick up the baskets and take it home so they can have a nice meal with their family."
This is the second year Re/Max has hosted the giveaway.
Last year, 500 turkeys were handed out.
Organizers say they bumped that number up to 1,000 this year after having to turn people away last December.