Annie Rees, of Annie's Bail Bonds, Wednesday bailed out 70 turkeys from freezers of local grocery stores. But the gobblers' freedom was shortlived as they were turned in at Medicap Pharmacy as part of the Salvation Army food drive.
Hundreds of turkeys took over the pharmacy on Wednesday during the radio promotion aimed at distributing food for the holiday season.
KOH news radio and the Salvation Army ran the food drive at the pharmacy from 5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Listeners were urged to drop off turkeys and canned goods, which will go to needy families in Carson City and Douglas County.
Office Manager Loreen Hautekeet said 551 turkeys and more than $400 in donations were turned in when the promotion ended at 6 p.m.
By 3 p.m. the back of the Salvation Army van was starting to fill with the frozen turkeys, about 170, but the giving stepped up when Rees from dropped off 70 turkeys at about 3:45 p.m. By giving the most turkeys, Rees won a dinner for two at Red's Old 395 restaurant.
Radio personalities Ross and Monica from the Breakfast Club and talk-show host Rusty Humphries broadcast from the store during the day.
During the afternoon drive time, Humphries put the word out and turkeys started rolling in.
"People came in with two or three turkeys," Hautekeet said. "The doctors in the area also donated a lot of money."
Some other big givers were Love Jones Painting with 15 turkeys and Skin Cancer and Dermatology with 13 turkeys.
Hautekeet said the turkeys are being stored at Comstock Distributors. Most will be given out for Thanksgiving.
Medicap topped last year's count of 350 turkeys. The pharmacy also collects teddy bears for the Teddy Bear Patrol. The bears are given to children involved in traumatic situations.