JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The 2024 Miracle on the Hudson Turkey Drive needs your help in time for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Casey Jones has been raising money to buy Northeast Florida families in need a turkey for Thanksgiving for the past 15 years.
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Jones survived the “Miracle on the Hudson” incident in New York 10 years ago.
Jones shared that surviving the plane crash left him with an infinite amount of compassion for those experiencing homelessness after having to see himself in clothes provided by other people.
Being forever changed by the event, Jones found a cause to devote himself to.
“Fourteen years ago, I was on my way to a speaking engagement in mid-November and I heard on the radio that the Salvation Army had not received nearly enough turkeys for the families that they help at Thanksgiving. I knew I had to do something about it. So I sent an email to five people and in 24 hours, we raised enough money to buy 140 turkeys. The following year I sent an email to 10 people and in 24 hours, we raised enough money to buy 160 turkeys,” said Jones.
Last year, the turkey drive was able to donate 492 turkeys to the Salvation Army and 36 to Mandarin Food Bank, making last year’s total donations 528 turkeys.
This year, there are about 450 families in Northeast Florida who need help getting a turkey to enjoy Thanksgiving in their homes.
Jones’ GoFundMe has raised $3,856 of their $15,000 goal.
Any amount helps to help change a family’s life this holiday season.