THE WASHINGTON TIMES
November 20, 1997
Charities find deposit fee
But firm fails to deliver turkeys for giveaway
By Kristan Trugman
Two charities are $10,000 richer but 800 turkeys poorer.
A National Park Service rule that required the charities to hand over a $10,000 deposit check threatened their efforts to distribute 1,000 turkeys Saturday at Anacostia Park in South east.
That particular problem was solved yesterday when a New Jersey businessman heard about their lack of funds, and with the help of a client, came up with the $10,000 bond.
But just as event organizer heard the good news, they got some bad news when they learned an unidentified company; that had pledged a truckload of turkeys couldn't provide the birds.
"We have about 200 turkeys, so we're shy about 800 turkeys, said Rev. George Blair, coexecutive director of Regeneration Development Group with hi wife, Elaine.
"We are in the midst of trying to get funds to get the turkeys. We know we'll get them one way or another because we believe Go' will give us some folks out there to make it a reality," said Mr. Blair, a pastor with the Deliverance Temple Outreach Center.
The Washington Times firs reported yesterday that Mr. Blair's group and an organization called Beauty From Ashes had agreed to provide $40-an-hour overtime pay for a National Par Police officer during the three to four-hour event at the Anacostia Park. But they did not have the
The charities have reason to be optimistic after yesterday's phone call from Dan Perkins, a New Jersey financial consultant visiting the area on business.
Mr. Perkins was in his car after lunch when he heard on a radio news broadcast about their lack of funds. He pledged a $5,000 deposit check and recruited his client, the National Education Association Member Benefits Corp. in Gaithersburg, for the remaining $5,000.
"We know it's a miracle. Here we are down to the wire, and this man happens to be in town and hears about it on the radio ' Mr. Blair said.
Mr. Blair said the charities will pick up the checks today at the education association office.
Mr. Perkins, whose company Pinnacle Sales and Marketing is based in Florham Park N.J. through the years has performed volunteer work for the homeless and poor.
"It's part of our responsibility. The reason to give is to make sure the 1,000 turkeys are distributed. If we don't [get the deposit back], we don't get it back ' Mr. Perkins, 52, said.
Anacostia Park is a federal park, so the two organizations obtained a permit from the National Park Service. They also paid for a liability insurance policy.
The Regeneration Development Group, based in Capitol Heights, is a nonprofit community outreach program and food pantry. Beauty From Ashes, based in Springfield also is a nonprofit and its eventual aim is to open a home for sexually abused children.
"Acts of Thanksgiving" community outreach program, recipients must perform a benevolent act for some non-related individual or group in their community, and sign a paper verifying their act.
Fred Cunningham, acting superintendent of the National Capital Parks East, the Park Service division that oversees parkland in Anacostia, said Tuesday that the deposit is necessary because the Sousa Bridge could be damaged by tractor trailers hauling the turkeys.
Mr. Cunningham said the Park Service can, and often does, ask for a damage bond, which must be paid by money order or certified check.
Doris Stilwell co-executive director of Beauty from Ashes ministry with her husband, the Rev. Harlan Stilwell, yesterday t had no doubts they will get the turkeys to give away.
Mrs. Stilwell, at one time a food stamp recipient. is the driving force behind the "Acts of Thanksgiving" project. She developed the idea of giving away turkeys and the fixings several months ago and joined with their longtime friends, the Blairs, to hold the event.
"It's God's awesome power in our lives that will allow us to do it," Mrs. Stilwell said.
Compliments of Proposition One Committee