Stuff the Bus Teams Up With Edmonson Groups to Distribute Turkeys to EC Families In Need

100 Complete Thanksgiving Meals Delivered

Mark Wardlow (L) with Santa's Helping Hands and Kyle Wolz (R) with Stuff the Bus load boxes of turkeys for distribution.

Madison Doyle, story and photos:
Stuff the Bus, one of southcentral Kentucky's largest and most well known charities, continues to expand its giving, and today they joined forces with some of Edmonson County's hardest working charities and local organizations to make even more of a difference.

What started as a radio stunt nearly 20 years ago from morning radio show host Tony Rose has turned into a giving powerhouse that continues to make a difference all across the region. Just a few years ago, Stuff the Bus started what was known as the annual STB Turkey Drop, which was inspired by an episode of the 70s TV sitcom "WKRP in Cincinnati." The episode was about a promotion that the station held where 40 live turkeys were dropped out of a helicopter for a Thanksgiving giveaway, but not all the turkeys flew, causing smashed windshields and other carnage. The episode remains one of the most popular in the series' history.  

Luckily, no windshields were smashed (as far as we know) as the annual STB Turkey Drop was held today all across the Bowling Green area, where the charity teamed up with other orgs in the area to see that needy families are able to have plenty on Thanksgiving Day.

Mark Wardlow (R) with Santa's Helping Hands gives an on-camera interview for the annual STB Turkey Drop TV Special.

Rose reached out to Darren Doyle, Founder of the Edmonson Voice and President of the Edmonson County Chamber of Commerce to see how STB could partner with some EC organizations to spread a little more giving.

"The Chamber knew there was a need in Edmonson County and we asked Mark Wardlow, co-founder of Santa's Helping Hands and a fellow Chamber board member, what was the best way to handle it," Doyle said. "Mark then coordinated with the Edmonson County Family Resource and Youth Services Centers, the Senior Food Pantry, and other locals to coordinate some extra giving on Thanksgiving Day."

Wardlow and Doyle, with trailer in tow, made their way down to Priceless IGA on Louisville Road to meet the STB crew to pick up 100 meals, which included a full turkey with sides, ready to be delivered, cooked, and enjoyed.

Tony Rose discussed the opportunity to branch out into Edmonson County for the Thanksgiving event.

“The Stuff the Bus Foundation is humbled to have the chance to work with Santa’s Helping Hands, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Edmonson Voice to help make sure families in Brownsville and the county can celebrate together this morning and this holiday season," he said. "We are blessed to have some amazing friends in Edmonson County.”

Wardlow said it was another way that SHH could continue making a difference in Edmonson County.

"Coming off the single biggest year we've ever had with our annual benefit auction, this was a fantastic way to start the holiday season for several Edmonson County families that could use a 'helping hand,'" he said. "Once we learned about the opportunity, we jumped at the chance. We appreciate Tony, all the Stuff the Bus crew, and of course, our Edmonson County friends that helped make this happen."

Santa's Helping Hands and the Edmonson Voice helped sponsor the local event while the regional event was sponsored by Houchens Food Group, The Mint Gaming Hall, WBKO, Farmers Bank & Trust, Logan Aluminum, Wendy's of Bowling Green, Red Elephant Studio, Tri County Auto & Oil, D93 WDNS, and WRUS 104.9 610.

All 100 meals were delivered to Edmonson County families just in time for cooking and sharing with friends and family.

The annual Santa's Helping Hands shopping day is coming up this Sunday, Nov. 26th at 3pm at Walmart on Morgantown Road. Any volunteers looking to help can meet there to assist purchasing items for distribution for SHH.