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2100 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Berkeley, CA 94704
(510) 981-5900, TDD: (510) 981-5799, police@ci.berkeley.ca.us

 
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*** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ***

Contact:  Officer Joe Okies  #71

                 BPD Public Information Officer

                 (510) 981- 5752  

 

Berkeley Police Begin Holiday Turkey Basket Distribution

Berkeley, CA. – (Monday November 21, 2005) Tomorrow morning members of the Berkeley Police Department, the Berkeley Boosters, and other volunteers will be assembling and distributing turkey baskets for disadvantaged Berkeley families.  Money for the baskets was raised when current and retired Berkeley and UCPD Officers as well their friends and family rode their bicycles from Berkeley to Lake Tahoe.  This year riders collected $10,880 in pledges for their 216 mile ride.  This is enough money to purchase 550 baskets total.  Half of the baskets will be distributed for Thanksgiving and half will go out for Christmas.

Deserving families are nominated by beat officers as well as by members of the community.  Basket assembly begins at 6 AM in front of the Police Department.  Once the baskets are assembled they will be loaded into Police vehicles and distributed to families throughout Berkeley.

The idea of the ride was conceived in 1983 when three Berkeley officers rode their bicycles from Berkeley to South Lake Tahoe.  During the trip they talked about how to develop a community service project and involve other officers.  They decided that they would create a ride to raise money for a holiday gift basket program.  In 1985 the Inaugural Turkey Ride took place when 7 Berkeley Police Officers rode their bicycles from Berkeley to Lake Tahoe in 2 ˝ days. 

Lt. Bruce Agnew, one of the ride creators said, “The best part for me is seeing officers participate in the ride for the first time and socialize with veteran and supervisory officers.  It’s also gratifying to give turkey baskets to people who are appreciative of the food that makes it possible for them to have a nice holiday meal.“ Lt. Agnew has participated in all 21 Turkey Rides.  This has become a family tradition for the Agnews as both Bruce’s sons have provided rider support in years past.  This year, Lt. Agnew’s son Jason participated as a rider for the first time.

The Berkeley Boosters, Berkeley’s Police Activities League, administers many of the logistics associated with the project ranging from ride support to donation management.  The Booster’s Executive Director Dave Manson said, “Our partnership with the Berkeley Police Department has enabled us to make a major difference in the lives of many families during the holiday season.  We are thrilled to be part of this important undertaking.”