SARASOTA, Fla. (SNN TV) — For seven years, Suncoast business Manasota Flooring has given away hundreds of turkeys to local first responders in Sarasota and Manatee Counties.
Today, they did it again.
Sarasota Police Officer Helios Blanco found out Wednesday morning through an agency-wide email about the Community Turkey Giveback Event.
“[I] called the wife, and she said, ‘Yeah, you better stop by,'” Blanco said with a laugh.
Although the company was founded 50 years ago, the giveaway is in its seventh year. Mansota Flooring said the event is their way of thanking “local heroes.”
And there’s a deeper connection to the giveaway that goes high up the company chain.
“Chris Quattlebaum, who is our general manager, was also a firefighter once upon a time,” said Manasota Flooring’s HR manager, Leslie Heller. “So, he has a personal connection to this. He’s the one who really gets into this because it’s something that he enjoys.”
Another person with a connection is retail manager Eron Stoykovich, who came to the company after his time as a first responder.
“It was a way for me to continue serving the community, just in a different fashion,” he said. “[First responder is] a very stressful job and there’s a lot of pressures that go along with the job.”
Along with their Sarasota location, Manasota Flooring gave away turkeys at their other two locations in Venice and Bradenton.
“Merry Christmas. Please be safe,” Blanco added as a holiday tip. “If you’re going to drink, please do not go into any vehicles. Call an Uber, call a friend who’s sober, and just be safe.”
SNN was told by all accounts, Manasota Flooring plans to hold another turkey giveaway for area police officers, firefighters, and paramedics next year.
