Black McDonald’s Operators Association sponsors annual turkey giveaway

Alderman David Moore (in blue) passes a turkey to Cheryl Taylor, McDonald’s franchise owner, at the 19th annual turkey giveaway sponsored by the Black McDonald’s Operators Association of Chicago and Northwest Indiana.
Alderman David Moore (in blue) passes a turkey to Cheryl Taylor, McDonald’s franchise owner, at the 19th annual turkey giveaway sponsored by the Black McDonald’s Operators Association of Chicago and Northwest Indiana.

Black McDonald’s Operators Association sponsors annual turkey giveaway

BY WENDELL HUTSON

Contributing Writer

Armed with a blue, folding lawn chair, Englewood resident Jacqueline Hendricks arrived early at a South Side McDonald’s to be first in line for the 19th Annual Food for the Body & Spirit turkey giveaway sponsored by the Black McDonald’s Operators Association of Chicago and Northwest Indiana.

She was first in line when the 7 a.m. giveaway began at McDonald’s, 7601 S. Vincennes Ave., where more than 300 people showed up.

“I got here at 4 a.m. to get in line. I beat everyone here including the sun,” said Hendricks, 61. “Every little bit helps nowadays with these food prices and everything costing so much.”

The BMOA hosted the turkey giveaway from Nov. 15-17 at four different McDonald’s including one in Hammond, IN. A total of 500 turkeys were given away at each location and included sites at 5015 W. Madison St. on the West Side and 4239 W. 167th St. in south suburban Country Club Hills. The three hour event was broadcast live on 1390 AM and hosted by V103 personality Joe Soto.

“This is what giving back to the community looks like. I always enjoy when I can participate in programs that give back to the community,” said Soto. “I think it’s something we should all do as human beings.”

Standing behind Hendricks was her cousin Geraldine Jones, 68, who also arrived at 4 a.m.

“I really think it is a blessing that McDonald’s is doing this. The black community has supported McDonald’s forever and for them to give something back during the holiday is great,” said Jones, a Southeast Side resident. “More black businesses should give back to the community when they can.”

And as happy as Hendricks was to receive a free turkey, she was also sad because five years ago her mother died.

“I lost my mother October 2013 and I miss her. Every year we would have Thanksgiving dinner at her house and while we still do because I live there, I think about her a lot around this time of the year,” added Hendricks.

One thing different this year at the turkey giveaway was a separate line for veterans. About two-dozen veterans stood in line despite cold temperatures and snow falling and Sunyra Lewis, 57, was first in line.

“Veterans are not acknowledged as much as they should so I’m glad to see somebody cares about us,” said Lewis, a Beverly resident.

Cheryl Taylor owns eight Mc- Donald’s restaurants including the Vincennes Avenue location with her husband Derrick Taylor, president of the BMOA. And even though she is not a veteran, she said it was important for BMOA to show their gratitude to veterans.

“We wanted to acknowledge our veterans and to let them know how much we appreciate their service and what they did on behalf of our country,” said Cheryl Taylor. “Every year, we want to better serve the community and that includes our veterans.”

BMOA member Yolanda Travis knows all too well how veterans are

often overlooked by society. She retired from the National Guard after 23 years of service.

“I was a chief master sergeant in the National Guard and I am proud of the service I rendered to our country,” said Travis. “We need to never forget our veterans. My father was a veteran and he was a great man. So on behalf of the Black McDonald’s Operators Association I salute our veterans and say thank you for your service.”

The Vincennes Avenue McDonald’s is located in the city’s 17th ward and Alderman David Moore was among the volunteers handing out turkeys.

“This is an awesome event. The leadership of BMOA does such great work. ‘Our’ people are still struggling and help is always needed,” said Moore.

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