Press Releases

Farm Sanctuary Hosts Celebration FOR the Turkeys with Celebrity Guests

Emily Deschanel and True Whitaker to Attend Compassionate Thanksgiving Event at Orland, Calif. Shelter

ORLAND, Calif. – November 17, 2008 – Farm Sanctuary, the nation’s leading farm animal protection organization, will host its annual Celebration FOR the Turkeys event at its Orland, Calif. shelter on Saturday, November 22 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Part of the organization’s national Adopt-A-Turkey Project, this popular event gives individuals an opportunity to celebrate a compassionate and cruelty-free Thanksgiving. This year’s guests of honor include Bones actress Emily Deschanel and True Whitaker, daughter of Oscar-winner Forest Whitaker and television host Keisha Whitaker.

As two of the oldest and largest vegan Thanksgiving celebrations in the U.S., Farm Sanctuary’s Celebrations FOR the Turkeys at the California and New York Shelters attract hundreds of guests from across the nation with its promise of quality meet-and-greet time with friendly farm animals, camaraderie with like-minded people, inspiring presentations, and, of course, irresistible vegan food.

And no Celebration would be complete without Farm Sanctuary’s famous “Turkey Feeding Ceremony,” a cherished tradition where resident turkeys are doted upon and presented with festive platters of stuffed squash, cranberries, lettuce, and pumpkin pie.

Event registration and the silent auction, held at the “People Barn,” begins at 11 a.m. and is followed by a noon presentation from Leanne Cronquist, Farm Sanctuary’s California Shelter director. At 12:15 p.m., guests can visit with hundreds of farm animals and attend the 1 p.m. “Turkey Feeding Ceremony.” At 2 p.m., guests return to the “People Barn” for a catered vegan feast followed by an enlightening presentation at 3 p.m. by Gene Baur, Farm Sanctuary president, co-founder and author of the best-seller, Farm Sanctuary: Changing Hearts and Minds About Animals and Food. At 3:15 p.m. special guest speaker Emily Deschanel, Bones actress and renowned farm animal advocate, will present “Turkeys: Past to Present.” Herbivore Clothing Company founder and outspoken animal advocate Josh Hooten will then give an inspirational talk at 3:30 p.m. entitled “Make Turkey Day, Everyday.” Children’s activities will be held all afternoon under the blue tent near the “People Barn.”

This event has sold out; however, people interested in attending can call 607-583-2225 ext. 221 to be added to a wait list. Media interested in covering the event can contact Angela Barker at 607-583-2225 ext 256 or abarker@farmsanctuary.org.

Started in 1986, Farm Sanctuary’s celebrated Adopt-a-Turkey Project has not only saved more than one thousand turkeys from slaughter and encouraged millions of people to rethink their holiday menus, but has also shed light on the plight of the 250 to 300 million turkeys who are raised and slaughtered in the U.S. every year—more than 45 million alone for Thanksgiving. For more information about Farm Sanctuary’s Adopt-A-Turkey Project and to access helpful holiday resources, visit adoptaturkey.org.

Note to Media: Photos and video of Farm Sanctuary’s Celebration FOR the Turkeys are available by contacting media@farmsanctuary.org or calling 607-583-2225 ext. 256.

Farm Sanctuary is the nation's leading farm animal protection organization. Since incorporating in 1986, Farm Sanctuary has worked to expose and stop cruel practices of the "food animal" industry through research and investigations, legal and institutional reforms, public awareness projects, youth education, and direct rescue and refuge efforts. Farm Sanctuary shelters in Watkins Glen, N.Y., and Orland, Calif., provide lifelong care for hundreds of rescued animals, who have become ambassadors for farm animals everywhere by educating visitors about the realities of factory farming. Additional information can be found at www.farmsanctuary.org or by calling 607-583-2225.