In today's edition of everyone's favorite Texan doing good deeds, Matthew McConaughey is giving thanks to first responders nationwide with turkey dinners.
McConaughey and Wild Turkey teamed up with disaster relief organization Operation BBQ Relief to give thanks as part of the bourbon's "With Thanks" annual; charitable giving campaign.
The program started on Nov. 1 in Los Angeles. Wild Turkey Creative Director McConaughey, Master Distiller Eddie Russell and a group of volunteers prepared and delivered turkey dinners to first responders who are critical in the rescue and relief efforts around the current wildfires in the area. The turkeys were generously donated by Butterball®, official turkey sponsor of Operation BBQ Relief.
McConaughey rallied volunteers and jumped behind the grill to help prepare 800 turkey dinners, which were then quickly delivered by the group to more than 20 firehouses of heroes who are battling the wildfires that are raging across Southern California. Volunteers not only prepared meals for first responders, but also cooked and packaged an additional 800 dinners for local homeless shelters.
"Teaming up with Operation BBQ Relief as part of the Wild Turkey "With Thanks" has never been more meaningful," said Wild Turkey Creative Director Matthew McConaughey. "Little did we know when planning this annual event that California, my second home, would once again be hit with devastating fires. Being able to provide meals to the men and women who put themselves on the line is an honor for me, Jimmy and Eddie Russell. We are grateful to be here today to say thank you, shine a light on their unwavering conviction, and hopefully inspire others to get involved and help in their own communities."
They also thanked Dallas first responders on Tuesday and plan on meeting with New Orleans first responders on Nov. 12. They also meet with Chicago first responders on Nov. 19.
In addition, the spirits brand will make appearances at local Thanksgiving turkey trots, including the New Orleans Athletic Club's Turkey Day Race and the ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot in Austin. As a proud official sponsor of Operation Barbecue Relief, Wild Turkey will also be donating $50,000 to further the organization's important work. Fans nationwide can donate by visiting https://operationbbqrelief.org/withthanks/.
