El Dorado County, CA — In a powerful show of community spirit, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Sierra (BBBSNS) helped distribute hundreds of Thanksgiving turkeys to local families during a holiday drive held at the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office.
Volunteers, Sheriff’s deputies, and community partners formed an “efficient assembly line,” according to organizers, to load turkeys into vehicles. The event also included cookie decorating for children, creating a festive and caring environment for families.
The drive was made possible by King’s Meats, which has been collecting turkeys for months at the encouragement of Sheriff Jeff Leikauf. Financial and organizational support came from High Sierra Industries, the El Dorado Community Foundation, Stacie Walls of Toys for Tots, and the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Association.
Dina Gentry, a local volunteer and liaison for Big Brothers Big Sisters, said,
“Seeing community members, law enforcement, and local businesses come together—loading turkeys, handing them out, sharing smiles—shows just how deeply we care about each other here in El Dorado County.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Sierra is known for providing one-to-one mentorship for youth in El Dorado, Placer, and Nevada counties. Their advocacy partners include the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office.
The El Dorado Community Foundation, another major partner, has supported the initiative through its annual Turkey Drive, where donations of $20 sponsor a turkey. According to EDCF, matching funds from Kings Meats and the Pay It Forward Project helped double the impact for some community members.
State Board of Equalization Member Ted Gaines praised the community’s efforts following the annual El Dorado Community Turkey Drive, where hundreds of Thanksgiving turkeys were distributed to families in need at the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office.
“It was a wonderful morning spent with Sheriff Jeff Leikauf and all of the volunteers with the El Dorado Community Foundation at the El Dorado Community Turkey Drive, where we handed out hundreds of Thanksgiving turkeys to those in need,”
Gaines said. He thanked Casey King, founder of the event and owner of Kings Meats, for matching donations to ensure even more families received holiday meals. “So much to be thankful for,” Gaines added, noting he also joined a prayer meeting at the sheriff’s office earlier that morning.
Events like this do more than put food on the table—they strengthen the fabric of El Dorado County. Through BBBSNS’s mentorship programs, youth develop positive relationships with caring role models. The sheriff’s office’s involvement underscores how public institutions and nonprofits can partner effectively for social good.
