On Saturday, November 20th, the Jeff Simpson Community Center in Dumfries, VA became something more than a building.

It became a lifeline.

Long before the first turkey was carried out the door, long before the 3 PM start time, long before the team could even set the cones in place, a line began forming.

It wrapped around the building — quiet at first, then growing with a spirit you could feel before you could see it. Some families held hands. Some held onto hope. Some held back tears.

The Derrick R. Wood Foundation, alongside the Town of Dumfries, Councilwoman Caetrina Peterson, and Hungerford Distribution, had planned for 500 turkeys — five times the amount distributed last year. And for good reason.

The recent government shutdown had stretched families thin. Many federal employees in our region were still waiting on their full back pay. The pressure was real. The need was deep. And the community responded.

A Young Leader Steps Forward

One of the most powerful parts of the day didn’t come from a seasoned volunteer — it came from a student.

Journi Lawson, the 2025–2026 Mayor’s Youth Mentee, showed up with the kind of heart you can’t teach.

She didn’t just stand beside the volunteers — she became one of them:

• picking up heavy boxes,
• handing turkeys to families,
• encouraging those in line,
• stepping in wherever she saw a need.

Her eyes stayed focused. Her spirit stayed high.

And at one moment — a moment that changed all of us — she handed a turkey to a woman who broke down in tears.

The shutdown had shaken her family.

Her back pay still hadn’t arrived.

Thanksgiving felt out of reach… until that moment.

Journi didn’t hesitate.

She gave her the turkey, smiled warmly, and made sure she felt seen — not just served.

“This is why I mentor,” said Mayor Wood. “Because leadership isn’t something you wait to grow into. It’s something you step into. And she stepped into it fully.”

Stories You Could Feel in the Air

Not long after, another family arrived — all the way from two counties over — because they heard Dumfries was blessing people today.

And they weren’t alone.

As people reached the front of the line, they shared where they heard about the event:

• “My cousin sent me the link.”
• “Someone tagged me on Facebook.”
• “A friend texted it.”
• “I saw the post and signed up immediately.”

Word traveled fast — because need travels fast.

No one was turned away.

No one was questioned.

No one had to prove anything.

If they had a need, they received help.

That’s what service looks like.

The Growth of a Giving Community

Last year, the Foundation gave away 100 turkeys.

This year, we gave 500.

But it wasn’t just the number that grew — it was what the number represented:

Growth in generosity.

Growth in community power.

Growth in partnerships.

Growth in trust.

Growth in impact.

And while the turkeys were going out one by one, Mayor Wood couldn’t help but reflect:

Every golf tournament.

Every Mayor’s Ball.

Every sponsorship.

Every donation.

Every volunteer hour.

All of it led to this.

The turkey in someone’s hands wasn’t just a turkey — it was the result of a community choosing to invest in something bigger than themselves.

A Day That Moved the Entire Town

From 3 PM to 6 PM, the atmosphere was electric:

• Grateful families.
• Volunteers moving with purpose.
• Smiles from strangers.
• Kids excited to help.
• The dignity of knowing Thanksgiving was secured.

And later that evening, the town’s Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting turned the entire day into something unforgettable.

A day of hope.

A day of humanity.

A day of Dumfries.

This Is Why We Serve

For many families, that turkey was the difference between stress and celebration.

Between fear and relief.

Between lack and abundance.

This is why the Derrick R. Wood Foundation exists:

To meet needs.

To build leaders.

To strengthen families.

To lift communities.

Journi learned that.

Our volunteers lived that.

And our town witnessed that.

Hope was delivered — one family at a time.

Want to Help Us Keep Delivering Hope?

Every major impact moment — like this 500-turkey giveaway — is made possible because of:

• donors
• sponsors
• golf tournament supporters
• Mayor’s Ball attendees
• and everyday people who believe in serving families

If you want to help us continue mentoring youth, feeding families, uplifting local residents, and expanding our reach…

Make a Tax-Deductible Donation Today: Donate Now

Your support fuels moments like the ones you just read — moments that change lives, grow leaders, and strengthen communities.