Freeman Real Estate is giving away 500 turkeys to those in need on Dec. 18 at 12 noon, from the brokerage’s office at 988 Bathurst St., just four blocks north of where iconic retailer Honest Ed Mirvish started the tradition.
The family-run, boutique realty company has a long-standing reputation for supporting community causes, charities and interests. A free turkey giveaway seemed like a logical next step in the business’ 45 years of community involvement, says Elden Freeman, broker of record.
“We always admired Ed’s charity and we thought this was a good opportunity for us to keep the tradition going,” he says. “We’re big believers in our local community. As residents and business persons, we benefit a good deal from our community. This is one way we can pay back and say thank you.”
Spirit of Math is also getting into the holiday spirit by sponsoring a portion of the gobbler giveaway. Spirit of Math provides after-school mathematics education with more than 40 campuses in North America.
The turkeys are completely free of charge and for each giveaway Freeman will also donate to St. Alban’s Boys & Girls Club, an organization that provides programming for children and youth.
On hand will be Toronto city councillors Joe Cressy and Mike Layton. A representative from MP Chrystia Freeland’s office will be there. St. Alban’s executive director Chris Foster and boys and girls from the club will also be there to help give out the turkeys.
The Annex landmark, Honest Ed’s, gave away free turkeys at Christmastime for 28 years. It changed the tradition this year, deciding to donate turkeys directly to local charities rather than hand them out to anyone who lined up for one. The retailer at Bathurst and Bloor streets will close in 2017 to make way for condos and commercial space.
If the event is a success this year, Freeman says he intends to carry on the tradition next year.
