Gingerbread House receives historic donation from Turkey Fry Guys

How would you feel receiving a check for $200,000?

“It makes me want to jump up and down like a cheerleader!”

Jessica Milan Miller didn’t, but you would understand if she had. Miller is chief executive officer of Gingerbread House Children’s Advocacy Center. Recently, her organization received the single largest donation in its 27-year history. On the giving end was Turkey Fry Guys, a local volunteer group.

“Our ability to fund the services we provide for child abuse victims right here in our community – close to 900 child abuse victims every single year – is directly dependent on our ability to raise funding. All of it comes from the community. This funding from the Turkey Fry Guys, $200,000, is huge. I can’t even put it in perspective.”

Last November, Turkey Fry Guys threw a party – the Gobble Wobble – which featured a silent auction. The next day, Turkey Fry Guys deep-fried 1,500 turkeys.

Those turkeys were businesses. Many of those businesses donated their turkeys to non-profit organizations that gave them to people in need at Thanksgiving.

“It’s so rewarding,” said Corey Craft of Turkey Fry Guys. “It’s such a great feeling knowing we have so many great people in this community who help us do this. This isn’t just a handful of people who do this. This is really a community effort. It’s grown into something really big.”

Last year, Turkey Fry Guys raised $150,000 for Gingerbread House. In three years, Turkey Fry Guys has donated to Gingerbread House $430,000.