COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho — Evalyn Adams believes that providing food for the less fortunate does more than give them a meal.
It helps them feel better about who they are and where they are in life.
“If they know people care enough to give money so they can have a nice Thanksgiving dinner, that gives them a real boost,” Adams said Thursday. “If they can get a nice meal and realize the community wants to help them, it’s win-win.”
Adams has been the joyous face of Turkeys & More since she founded it eight years ago and it officially became a nonprofit three years ago. Since then, it has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars, distributed thousands of turkeys, benefited thousands of men, women and children and been supported by hundreds of volunteers.
All the while, Adams did not receive a nickel for her efforts, not that she ever thought she deserved one.
"It was just the right thing to do,” she said.
Thursday, Adams joined about 30 volunteers, donors and others with Turkeys & More for a celebratory lunch at Capone's Pub at Ponderosa Springs Golf Course for this year when they raised more than $70,000.
She was singled out for recognition because she finally retired.
“She’s the heart of Turkeys & More,” said Nancy Nelson, the nonprofit’s president.
She said Adams has been her mentor and inspiration, helping keep things on course and remembering why their mission mattered.
“She has made sure we’re always doing what we need to do so on that day everything is well,” Nelson said.
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