Vail Valley shatters giving goal for Thanksgiving

EAGLE COUNTY — Valley locals gave until it felt good, collecting more than 24 tons of food and almost $4,300 to buy more.

When it was all packed and loaded, the total collected from local stores and schools weighed 48,438 pounds. People sometimes forgot to bring food to donate, but they could almost always reach into their pockets for a couple bucks, $4,299.22 total, in fact.

“Awesome job team! This is about an 8,000 pound increase from last year,” said Officer Craig Westering, the Vail Police Department food drive coordinator.

That includes a jump in cash donations as well, Westering said.

Those totals do not include donations from Vail Resorts and a few other businesses from which food and cash were still rolling in, Westering said.

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Law enforcement lead it

This year’s food drive was sponsored by Eagle County law enforcement, with all county schools participating and competing as well.

Red Sandstone Elementary School in Vail collected almost twice as much food as the second place school. Eagle County Charter Academy collected 2,648 pounds, more than twice as much as last year, and twice as much as the next highest school.

“We have been participating in this food drive for over 10 years,” said Marcie Laidman, Red Sandstone principal. “We are very fortunate to have several generous school families who have provided financial support every year. And we have amazing students who bring in canned and non-perishable food to donate. This project brings the whole community together for one important and life-saving cause.”

Catherine Jarnot is the Eagle Valley Middle School principal. Apparently McGruff the Crime Dog managed to land in the principal’s office.

“We apologize that we could not keep McGruff out of your office … again,” joked Terry Simpkins, of the Eagle Police Department.

It’s OK, because when it comes to principles and principals, your school’s principal is your “pal.”

Packing parties

Saturday’s packing parties saw hundreds of locals gather in Avon and Eagle to pack boxes and bags to be distributed to local families by the Salvation Army.

Among them were David Cope’s Battle Mountain High School soccer team.

“Kids are supported so much by this community, financially and with moral support,” Cope said. “To be able to give back to the community is important. Our players are aware of that and have a good track record of doing that.

“The most important thing we can help them learn is to be good citizens and good people,” Cope said.

Staff Writer Randy Wyrick can be reached at 970-748-2935 and rwyrick@vaildaily.com.