Downtown Windsor turkey giveaway attracts longest line in 12 years

Plenty of thanks and plenty of giving. That was the common thread at the annual turkey giveaway held on the corner of Ouellette and University Avenue.

Local businessman Joe Mikhail continued his 12-year-long tradition Dec. 22 of giving away free turkeys.

Mikhail said he is inspired by his children.

“The more we open up our hearts and our wallets, the better it is for the community. Most of these kids see life the way we present it to them. They’ve never seen this side of life,” said Mikhail.

Students from the Home Economics class at L’Essor Secondary School were also on hand to give away hand-knitted hats and socks.

“They feel a sense of community and the importance of giving back. It’s really nice to see them come out of their bubble … and to really look around them and see what it means to give,” said Nathalie Roy, who teaches the class.

Jaden Plowman, a Grade 10 student was glad to be part of it.

“Our whole class thought it was a good idea. It was something fun (for us) to do all together. We knew it was going to be hard to learn how to knit but we all did it together and it was really fun,” said Plowman.

Some people standing in line said they didn’t know about the Mikhail giveaway until they stumbled across it.

This annual event is representative of Mikhail’s advice to others: to always give or ask for help.

“Everybody should just look around and look at their neighbours and look at their needs. And if you can help, help. If you need help, ask for it,” said Mikhail.