David Weekley Homes, the nation’s largest privately-held builder, hosted its fourth annual, companywide Giving Thanks, Giving Back Thanksgiving Drive, collecting an aggregate of nearly 184,000 pounds of turkey and nonperishable items in 18 participating markets. The company’s efforts provided nearly 311,500 meals to local families.
In Jacksonville, more than 1,200 turkeys and nearly 4,500 pounds of nonperishable items were collected during the two-week drive, which ran from November 1 to 15.
“I feel incredibly humble, blessed and thankful to be a part of the Thanksgiving Drive this year,” said Tamara Cornelius, a building service representative for David Weekley Homes. “I am very proud to be a part of our David Weekley Homes family as I personally see the impact we have on Building Dreams, Enhancing Lives in our local community.”
Locally, the Giving Thanks, Giving Back Thanksgiving Drive benefited Farm Share, Inc., a nonprofit organization that partners with agencies to distribute approximately 40 million pounds of food each year to families in need. David Weekley team members provided the collected items to Farm Share, Inc. to distribute to families in time for the holiday. Additionally, The David Weekley Family Foundation donated $4,500 to the organization.
“It is one thing to get turkeys donated but it really hits home once you start handing them out to families and veterans that would not have had a Thanksgiving without the food giveaway,” said Dave Reynolds, a facility manager at Farm Share, Inc.
The Thanksgiving Drive is an initiative of the company’s CARE program, which joins team members with homeowners, homebuyers, community partners and local nonprofit organizations to live out its purpose of Building Dreams, Enhancing Lives in each of the communities in which it builds.