PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. — Members of the Calvert Education Association delivered more than 40 frozen turkeys to Solomons Mission Center on Monday morning, launching the union’s first annual Thanksgiving Turkey Drive to help families facing food insecurity.
The donation, organized by CEA board member Chelsea Gallihugh and a volunteer team of educators, arrived at the Solomons Island nonprofit ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. Solomons Mission Center operates a food pantry and clothing bank that serves residents across Calvert County without income verification or appointment.
“Calvert Education Association benefits from the support of our community,” CEA President Jason Oates said in a statement released November 24. “One of our goals for this school year is to look at ways for us to give back to that community. This project was a great start to that movement. I’m extremely appreciative of the work that CEA Board Member Chelsea Gallihugh and her team put into this venture, and I am looking forward to watching it grow into something larger with each year.”
The CEA represents approximately 1,050 certified teachers, specialists, and related service providers employed by Calvert County Public Schools. Members funded the drive through personal contributions and union allocations, purchasing the turkeys at a discounted bulk rate from BJ’s Wholesale Club in California, St. Mary’s County.
Staff at the California store assisted CEA representatives with a last-minute order placed just days before the holiday week, allowing the union to secure the birds in time for distribution.
Solomons Mission Center, located at 14454 Solomons Island Road South, opened in 2014 and has expanded services steadily since then. The nonprofit distributes food boxes, fresh produce, and holiday meals year-round, with demand typically rising between November and January. Center volunteers reported the donated turkeys would reach client families within 48 hours of delivery.
The turkey drive marks the first formal community-service initiative launched by the current CEA leadership team since Oates took office in 2024. Union officials said future drives may include additional collection sites at schools or partner businesses to increase participation.