If you’ve ever had the great privilege of meeting a turkey, then you know these sweet, intelligent birds deserve to be the LIFE of any Thanksgiving gathering. Yet sadly, more than 46 million turkeys will have their beaks and toes painfully amputated this year so that they can be packed by the thousands into dark, filthy warehouses on factory farms. That’s why Farm Sanctuary is proud to announce our coast-to-coast Celebrations FOR the Turkeys!

Highlights of the Celebrations include:

* NYC Celebration – Hip-hop mogul and Def Jam Founder RUSSELL SIMMONS will host a sumptuous vegan gourmet brunch at New York City’s landmark Tavern on the Green, featuring a special reading by JONATHAN SAFRAN FOER (Everything Is Illuminated) from his red-hot new book “Eating Animals.”

* Glen, NY Celebration – In addition to a vegan feast and the wildly popular “Feeding of the Turkeys” ceremony, guests will enjoy special presentations from distinguished animal rights philosopher TOM REGAN, recently named “One of Fifty Visionaries Who are Changing Your Life” by Utne Reader magazine, and Farm Sanctuary Executive Director DR. ALLAN KORNBERG.

* Orland, CA Celebration – Actress/advocate DANIELA SEA from “The L Word” will host a compassionate Thanksgiving celebration replete with a candlelit gourmet vegan dinner, a “Feeding of the Turkeys” ceremony and a performance by punk rock pioneer JONATHAN RICHMAN.

Folks travel from far and wide to attend these festive, compassionate Thanksgiving celebrations. I hope you can help us spread the word! Please scroll down for calendar listings for all three events, depending on where you live.

As always, thanks so much for your support!

For the turkeys,

Meredith

Compassionate Celebration FOR the Turkeys Hosted by Russell Simmons at New York City’s Landmark Tavern on the Green

Guests Invited to Celebrate a Cruelty-Free, Gourmet Vegan Thanksgiving Brunch with Farm Sanctuary, Russell Simmons and Jonathan Safran Foer

NEW YORK, NY – October 30, 2009 – Join Farm Sanctuary, special host hip-hop mogul and founder of Def Jam RUSSELL SIMMONS and JONATHAN SAFRAN FOER, author of "Everything is Illuminated" and "Eating Animals," for a compassionate Thanksgiving celebration replete with sumptuous holiday fare, entertainment and a silent auction to benefit the sanctuary’s rescued animals. Guests will enjoy an intimate, family-style vegan Thanksgiving brunch in the enchanting “Crystal Room” at New York City’s landmark Tavern on the Green in Central Park, featuring a decadent cruelty-free menu designed by the critically-acclaimed chefs at renowned vegan restaurant Candle 79, in a first-ever all-vegan collaboration with the chefs at Tavern on the Green.

A special reading by Jonathan Safran Foer from his new book “Eating Animals; inspirational presentations by Farm Sanctuary’s President and Co-founder Gene Baur, Executive Director Dr. Allan Kornberg and National Shelter Director Susie Coston; a festive reception featuring spiced cider, hot cocoa, holiday nog and a holiday dessert bar from the area’s favorite vegan pastry chefs; as well as a silent auction to benefit the animals and provide for all your holiday shopping needs round out what is sure to become the celebration of the year for the compassionate-minded set.

WHAT: Celebration FOR the Turkeys

WHEN: Sunday, November 22, 2009: Noon – 5 p.m.

WHERE: Tavern on the Green, Central Park at West 67th Street

COST: $150 per person

ATTIRE:  Festive holiday

RESERVATIONS: Reservations can be made online at adoptaturkey.org or by calling 607-583-2225 ext. 221. Space is limited, so reserve now. The deadline is November 13. We regret that we may be unable to accommodate reservations received after the deadline. Confirmation and directions will be sent to all registrants.

Farm Sanctuary is the nation's leading farm animal protection organization. Since incorporating in 1986, Farm Sanctuary has worked to expose and stop cruel practices of the "food animal" industry through research and investigations, legal and institutional reforms, public awareness projects, youth education, and direct rescue and refuge efforts. Farm Sanctuary shelters in Watkins Glen, N.Y., and Orland, Calif., provide lifelong care for hundreds of rescued animals, who have become ambassadors for farm animals everywhere by educating visitors about the realities of factory farming. Additional information can be found at farmsanctuary.org or by calling 607-583-2225.

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Farm Sanctuary’s NY Celebration FOR the Turkeys

Guests Invited to Celebrate a Compassionate Thanksgiving at Watkins Glen, N.Y., Shelter

 

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. – October 27, 2009 – Join us for a compassionate Thanksgiving celebration replete with holiday fare, entertainment and a silent auction to benefit the sanctuary’s rescued animals. In addition to a vegan feast, guests will enjoy special presentations from distinguished animal rights philosopher Tom Regan and Farm Sanctuary Executive Director Dr. Allan Kornberg. The event will be held at Logan Ridge Estates in Hector, a Finger Lakes venue overlooking scenic Seneca Lake, and catered by Manndible Café, a local and sustainable eatery based in Ithaca.

After the meal and presentations, festivities will travel to our Watkins Glen sanctuary, where guests can spend time with some of our friendly farm animal residents and, during our “Feeding of the Turkeys” ceremony, help us treat delighted turkeys to a feast of squash, pumpkin pie and cranberries. This is a joyful event for humans and turkeys alike.

WHEN: Saturday, November 21, 2009; 10:30 a.m. guest registration

WHERE: Logan Ridge Estates, 3800 Ball Diamond Road, Hector, N.Y., Farm Sanctuary, 3136 Aikens Road, Watkins Glen, N.Y.

NOTE:  The “Feeding of the Turkeys” ceremony will take place at 3 p.m., and the shelter will be open from 3 – 5 p.m.  The ceremony and shelter will be open to both the public and Celebration FOR the Turkeys attendees. Cost for the public is $3 for adults and $1 for children under 12. There is no cost for Celebration FOR the Turkeys guests.

COST: $35 per person

RESERVATIONS: Reservations can be made online at adoptaturkey.org or by calling 607-583-2225 ext. 221. Space is limited, so reserve now. The deadline is November 13. We regret that we may be unable to accommodate reservations received after the deadline. Confirmation and directions will be sent to all registrants.

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Farm Sanctuary’s CA Celebration FOR the Turkeys

Guests Invited to Celebrate a Compassionate Thanksgiving at Orland, Calif., Shelter with Musician Jonathan Richman and “The L Word’s” Daniela Sea

ORLAND, Calif. – October 27, 2009 – Join us for a compassionate Thanksgiving celebration replete with holiday fare, entertainment and a silent auction to benefit the sanctuary’s rescued animals. Guests will enjoy a candlelit gourmet vegan dinner; a performance by musician Jonathan Richman; and special presentations from actress and animal advocate Daniela Sea, Farm Sanctuary California Shelter Director Leanne Cronquist, cookbook author Colleen Patrick-Goudreau, and Farm Sanctuary President and Co-Founder Gene Baur.

Guests can also spend time with some of our friendly farm animal residents and, during our popular “Feeding of the Turkeys” ceremony, help us treat delighted turkeys to a feast of squash, pumpkin pie and cranberries. This is a joyful event for humans and turkeys alike. 

WHEN: Saturday, November 21, 2009; 12:30 p.m. guest registration

WHERE: Farm Sanctuary, 19080 Newville Rd., Orland, CA

COST: $75 per person

NOTE:  There will be complimentary Thanksgiving themed tours on Sunday, November 22.  Tours will be every hour on the hour from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., departing from the People Barn.

RESERVATIONS: Reservations can be made online at adoptaturkey.org or by calling 607-583-2225 ext. 221. Space is limited, so reserve now. The deadline is November 13. We regret that we may be unable to accommodate reservations received after the deadline. Confirmation and directions will be sent to all registrants.