Press Releases

Farm Sanctuary Hosts Celebration FOR the Turkeys with Special Guest and Feathered Friends

Food Not Bombs Founder Keith McHenry to Attend Compassionate Thanksgiving Event at Watkins Glen, NY Shelter

WATKINS GLEN, NY – November 19, 2008 – Farm Sanctuary, the nation’s leading farm animal protection organization, will host its annual Celebration FOR the Turkeys event at the Watkins Glen Community Center (521 E. 4th St., Watkins Glen, NY) and its Watkins Glen shelter on Saturday, November 22 from 10:30 a.m. to 5 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 special guest presenter is Food Not Bombs Founder Keith McHenry.

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 Feeding of the Turkeys Ceremony, a cherished tradition where resident turkeys are doted upon and presented with festive platters of stuffed squash, cranberries, lettuce, and pumpkin pie.

Event check-in, held at the Watkins Glen Community Center, begins at 10:30 a.m. and is followed by the vegan Thanksgiving potluck feast at noon. At 1 p.m., attendees will enjoy an inspiring presentation by social justice activist Keith McHenry, followed by an enlightening “Let’s Talk Turkey” presentation from Farm Sanctuary National Shelter Director Susie Coston at 1:45 p.m. At 3 p.m., guests are invited to Farm Sanctuary’s New York Shelter to attend the Feeding of the Turkeys Ceremony. Guest may also visit with hundreds of friendly rescued farm animals, and browse the visitor center and gift shop from 3 to 5 p.m.

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 1,000 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 www.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.