Turkey tradition comes to an end in Collingwood

A Collingwood man has been hosting his annual Turkey Giveaway for 25 years.

For 25 years people have been coming to Chris Dopp’s Collingwood office for a free turkey dinner for Christmas. No questions asked. No sign up. Just show up.

The first 250 people to show up Tuesday morning got a free dinner with all the fixings and of course, the turkey. There was just a little something for everyone. People lined up and down the street some here two hours early.

“It helps me out immensely. I’ve been homeless off and on for eight years but I found temporary lodging right now so this helps,” said one man outside the Dopp office.

Gerald Lougheed of Collingwood was one of the first to arrive.

“It helps the wife and I out an awful lot,” Lougheed said.

Those who lined up got a turkey and good thing they did because all 250 were gone in under 20 minutes.

When asked why he’s been doing the giveaway for so long, Dopp said, “I did it to give back to the community mostly, I think.”

“You saw today that the people who came through really need that help at this time of the year so it’s just nice. I’m in a position to give back to the people.”

One man who received a turkey said he’s been coming to this event every year since it started.

“It’s the only reason why my family gets a turkey dinner every year, because of the price of this town, so thank you again, Chris.”

If people couldn’t get to the turkeys, they were delivered to schools and people living in apartment buildings.

The total cost for this year’s giveaway was $15,000 alone, all of it covered by Dopp.