LeOtis Williams started a Thanksgiving turkey project last year because he said he was laying awake one night asking himself, &uot;What can I do to help?&uot;

Last year, the first time Williams and his business, LW’s Lawn Service, passed out turkeys, they were able to give out 175 birds.

Saturday morning, LW’s Lawn Service, along with MWM Investments, gave away 475 birds.

&uot;Next year we’ll hopefully be able to give out 700 or more; we certainly want this to be an annual event,&uot; Williams said.

Local organizations, such as the Suffolk Salvation Army, the Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority, and Flip Transportation, and area and churches, gave out vouchers and the turkeys arrived at Williams’ business on Pinner Street Saturday morning.

Eleven different Suffolk churches were included.

Employees from the lawn service volunteered their time unloading the trailer full of turkeys, loading vans which were delivering some of the turkeys, passing out the birds to those who were there, and when needed, carrying them to recipient’s cars.

&uot;This is the spirit of Thanksgiving and the holiday season; there are so many families out there that don’t have what I do.&uot; Williams said.

&uot;It’s growing and we’re happy to see smiles on faces, it’s priceless and that’s enough right there.&uot;

andrew.giermak@suffolknewsherald.com