ANDOVER — Happy Dollars translated into a Happy Thanksgiving today for more than 300 local families.
The Rotary Club of Andover raised Happy Dollars from its members during recent meetings to purchase turkeys and all the fixings for families who might otherwise go without.
"It's heartwarming knowing that people care about others who were less fortunate than they are," Rotary President Bill Buck said.
Buck, along with 11 other members, spent the day Tuesday delivering boxes stuffed with frozen birds, canned vegetables and other food staples to the Andover Housing Authority, Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, Lazarus House and Bread and Roses, all in Lawrence.
Women, some of them pregnant, were leaning against the wall in the conference room at the MSPCC, as the boxes were brought in and set on tables.
"It means they'll have a nice Thanksgiving with food," said Peggy DiCori, regional director for the MSPCC. "It's a wonderful thing that has a lot of meaning because it's the community providing support to the community."
This is the 10th year the Andover Rotary Club sponsored the food drive.
"We found there was a need for it, and kept with it," said Buck, a charter member of the Andover Rotary Club when it was founded 15 years ago.
The Thanksgiving food drive has been a collaborative effort by the Rotarians, Market Basket, Yang's Fitness Center in North Andover, which raised $2,000, staff members at Marland Place in Andover who delivered 15 turkeys, and other anonymous donors who dropped off food at Buck's office.
"People have told me that they're doing a little better, so it's been easier than last year," said Buck, owner of Stone Wall Real Estate. "People are willing to give and I am very pleased with that."
Len Wilson, retired chief executive officer at First Essex Bank, calls the drive "a great effort."
"We thank God for our blessings during the holidays and this says something about people helping people," Wilson said.
The Rotarians delivered 56 meals to the Andover Housing Authority, 100 to the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, 10 to Bread and Roses, and 95 to Lazarus House.
"For me, this is an opportunity to experience the community that we're part of," said James Sutton, former director at Memorial Hall Library in Andover.
The Rotarians' donation to Lazarus House was one of many it receives to complete the 800 orders it received for the holiday. Just weeks ago, it was concerned it would not have enough food.
Lazarus House food coordinator Ken Campbell said this year more individuals and families have come forward to help, in addition to churches and schools.
"They get inspired when they see things going OK for them and they want to share their bounty with us," Campbell said.
A family that owns an apple orchard in western Massachusetts and has connections to Lawrence, called Lazarus House to offer a bushel of apples.
"It's like the story of the fishes and loaves, they multiply," Campbell said.
