WORCESTER, Mass. — The Worcester County Sheriff's Office and Compass Tavern hosted a turkey raffle ahead of Thanksgiving Sunday afternoon.
The raffle featured several turkeys, as well as other meats. Non-perishable food items were collected to donate to the Friendly House's holiday food drive.
Students from Worcester Polytechnic Institute also pitched in by going door-to-door collecting food. At Compass Tavern, the day was all about supporting a good cause — and having fun.
"This is a good opportunity to do a couple things at once," said Fran Pisegna, director of re-entry at the Sheriff's Office. "People don't realize what COVID-19, what it's doing to people, and people in real need, and the food we raise would be a great opportunity to impact and help our community out."
The event was "about getting the community together, having fun," Rev. Jonathan Slavinskas added.
"We've gone through so much heck during the past two years during the pandemic," Slavinskas said. "So we just want to be together, have fun and support good causes, and that's what we're doing today."
Proceeds from Sunday's raffle also benefitted the Worcester County St. Patrick's Parade.