Key Happenings for Nov. 28

Mothers of pre-Kindergarteners help out at the annual St. Agnes Academy Thanksgiving food drive, Nov. 19 (Carmen Uribe via Key News)

MIRACLE ON HARBOR PACKS 600 BAGS

St. Agnes Academy Key Biscayne held its 25th annual food drive, affectionately known as the ‘miracle on Harbor Drive’ last week. The project collects donations and groceries for delivery to the Redland Christian Migrant Association in Homestead, at the same time giving students in grades PK4 through eighth the chance to physically participate in serving their community.

This year the Academy family rose to the challenge, packing over 600 bags to send to families in need over the holidays. Each bag contained 13 carefully selected items intended to provide the basis for a happy holiday meal.

Aside from the goods, students also canvassed for donations – “Coins for Charity” – outside the store during specially organized field trips last week.

Volunteers from PK4 outside Winn Dixie, Nov. 19 (Mishaela Munoz via Key News)

Mothers of little helpers in the Winn Dixie warehouse Nov. 19 (Carmen Uribe via Key News)

Winn-Dixie Manger Jose Llanes has been instrumental in providing warehouse space, trucks and promotion for the project throughout its tenure – and despite the store’s enormous renovation this summer, pledged to make it “the best year yet.”

In the words of project leader and eighth-grade teacher Rodrigo Bustamante, “This food drive does not just involve buying food. It involves sharing the gift of Thanksgiving with those less fortunate than ourselves.”

Packing groceries in the warehouse, Nov. 19 (Carmen Uribe via Key News)

CHIEF PRESS FOUNDATION TURKEY BOWL

The Chief Press Foundation partnered with Miami Children’s Initiative to host a Thanksgiving event for children and families in Liberty City Saturday, Nov. 23.

The 10th annual Turkey Bowl – combining two great loves of many Americans; food and football – saw a whopping 200 turkeys distributed to those in need.

Key Biscayne Chief of Police Charles R. Press with a young attendee at his foundation’s 10th annual Turkey Bowl, Nov. 23 (Courtesy of Sarah Wright)

Over two days of festive fun, police officers from Key Biscayne joined their Chief Charles Press in the merrymaking, together with colleagues from the Miami-Dade County Police Department and Department of Corrections. A hearty Thanksgiving meal was enjoyed by all.

A spokeswoman for the Chief Press Foundation said they were grateful to those that donated to the Key Biscayne Community Foundation on Give Miami Day 2019. Those donations funded the turkeys and meals provided at the event.