Thuy Phan/Nguoi Viet
WESTMINSTER, Calif. ― Thanksgiving is more than a holiday; it is a reminder to be grateful for what we have and if we can, donate our time and money to help others. This is especially true for the Vital’s International Group, which, for the second year in a row, sponsored a turkey drive for the less fortunate.
“The family that started Vital’s International Group has always been a big part of the community,” said Steven Smiley, 31, spokesman for the Fountain Valley, Calif.-based company. “This same community helped them a lot when they first immigrated here, and this is one of the ways they thought of to give back.”
Hoang Nguyen, 57, who is homeless, said he was thankful for the gifts of a blanket and turkey. (Photo: Thuy Phan/Nguoi Viet)
With more than 500 turkeys to give out, the company set up its U-Haul truck full of frozen turkeys to distribute to families at Sigler Park. The line of families waiting with their rolling carts to pick up their turkey wrapped around the corner. Children played in the grass as parents and grandparents patiently waited to show their identification and receive a ticket that ensured them a turkey.
People were given tickets to ensure everyone got a turkey. (Photo: Thuy Phan/Nguoi Viet)
James Tran, 91, said this was the first time he had received a free turkey in his 20 years of living in America.
“I came here to receive the gift for Thanksgiving that is being given by a private company,” Tran, a Westminster resident, said. “I’m really thankful to the owners for opening up their hearts to take care of the Vietnamese community by giving me and everyone a turkey for Thanksgiving.”
James Tran, 91, said this is the first time he has received a free turkey for Thanksgiving. (Photo: Thuy Phan/Nguoi Viet)
Trung Phan, 72, a South Vietnamese Army veteran and Westminster resident, rode his bike and wore his army fatigues to pick up his turkey.
“This gift is a small gesture but it carries a lot of weight and happiness for me, that someone remembers old people like myself,” Phan said. “I’m planning to cook it myself, and roast it with potatoes so I can eat it for a long time.
South Vietnamese Army veteran Trung Phan, 72, rode his bike to collect his turkey. (Photo: Thuy Phan/Nguoi Viet)
Last year, Vital’s International Group, only brought 300 turkeys. When the company ran out, a staff member bought about 100 turkeys to make sure everyone who wanted one got one. This year, the company brought between 500 and 600 turkeys to make sure that didn’t happen again.
“That’s always the difficult part; you want to help everybody but you can’t,” Smiley said. “We tried to create a more organized atmosphere this year. People lined up early, we gave them tickets so they wouldn’t have to worry about anyone cutting anybody else. We want to give one per family so we check ID to make sure there’s not five people from the same family to ensure everyone who’s here will get one.”
People waited in long lines for the free turkeys offered by Vital’s International Group. (Photo: Thuy Phan/Nguoi Viet)
In addition to turkeys, people who came early also received leopard-print comforters for the cold winter months. No one appreciated this more than Hoang Nguyen.
“I’m homeless, and today I was able to receive a turkey and blanket for Thanksgiving,” Nguyen said. “I thank God for this. And I want to thank everyone who opened up their hearts to help people down on their luck like me.”
Nguyen said the disintegration of his marriage about three years ago led to his homelessness.
The turkey distribution was held at Sigler Park, 7200 Plaza St., Westminster, Calif. (Photo: Thuy Phan/Nguoi Viet)
“I sleep on the streets, and sometimes I’ll sleep on the steps of the church,” Nguyen said. “Even then, the cops will shoo me away, and I’ll make my bed somewhere in the park.”
While Nguyen was happy for the turkey, he said he didn’t that since he didn’t have a place to cook it, he would pass it on.
“I’m happy to receive this gift, but I honestly don’t know how to eat turkey or how to cook it. I’m going to give it to another family who might be able to use it to cook Thanksgiving dinner for their family and kids, and that will be gift enough for me.”
More than 500 turkeys were given away. (Photo: Thuy Phan/Nguoi Viet)
“For us, Thanksgiving isn’t about having a turkey or a beautiful house ― it’s about being around other people,” Smiley said. “If we can make them think more about who they’re with than what they’re eating, that’ll be a victory for us. So if we can provide a turkey and they have a good time doing it, then that’s something special we can do for them.”
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