Longview law firm kicks off 4th annual turkey giveaway

LONGVIEW, Texas (KLTV) - They’ve been doing it for four years now, and this year was bigger than last year. The law firm Goudarzi and Young held their annual free turkey giveaway Monday morning in Longview, and this year people started lining up the night before.

The line of vehicles ended on George Richey and Airline Roads, about three-and-a-half miles from the destination of a free turkey, near Fourth and Hawkins. The first in line was Jimmy Gravley, and he got there early.

“Quarter to eleven last night,” Gravley said.

He said last year he got in line too late and didn’t get a bird.

“This was my game plan for my wife. I was going to do it. First, I was going to come at two o’clock. I slept all yesterday and woke up about five after ten. I’m going. ‘No, you’re not,’ and I said, ‘Watch me,’” Gravley said.

He said he had plenty of gas but decided against bringing his Saint Bernard. A few cars back, in fifth place, was Jesse Williams who also arrived well ahead of time.

“Between 12:15 and 1,” Williams said.

This was Williams’ first time in line.

“I’m just in need for it, and with my health condition, you know, I’m taking everything they’re giving out,” Williams said.

Williams opted to bring his dog, Rip, since the turkey is meant to make the day special for the two of them.

“For me and old Rip, my dog,” Williams said.

Brent Goudarzi was right there on the giveaway line handing out boxed turkeys.

“Luckily this year, unlike last year, we haven’t had the turkey flu or avian flu, so there’s enough turkeys in case we have to get more from Bear Creek,” Goudarzi said.

And, they did. They also had to deal with a couple people who tried to take a short cut.

“Did you cut in line? You can’t cut in line. It’s not fair to everybody else,” Goudarzi said to a driver.

The larger percentage of people waited patiently for their bird. Brent’s partner, Marty Young, was also on the front line.

“Everybody’s not as blessed as some people are. It’s a blessing to be able to give back, too,” Young said as he handed out a turkey.

“Man, these people, they do great things. It’s really nice,” Gravely said.

Well, they say good things come to those who wait. The wait is just getting a bit longer every year.

If you missed the free turkey, you have one more chance. They’re doing it again Tuesday at the Yamboree Event Center in Gilmer at 10 a.m.

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