Brightline gives away Thanksgiving turkeys to Overtown residents

MIAMI – Brightline gave away about 500 Thanksgiving turkeys Monday to low-income residents in Miami's Overtown neighborhood.

The high-speed passenger rail train service partnered with the Overtown Neighborhood Enhancement Team for the third year in a row to provide Thanksgiving meals to the people who will soon be living near one of Brightline's stops.

Many people who showed up for the event Monday morning at Reeves Park said it would have been difficult for them to provide Thanksgiving meals for their families without it.

"I'm blessed. It was amazing," Rachel Jamerson told Local 10 News. "You know, I didn't even have a voucher and they let me get a free turkey, and, you know, I just thank God. That's a blessing for today."

Brandyss Howard, the administrator of Miami's Overtown NET, said many of the families are still recovering from the effects of Hurricane Irma in September.

"So the fact that we're able to do that, it's a heartwarming feeling, and to know that we had something to do with it, something that's good for their families, we really feel blessed about that," Howard said.

In addition to turkeys, people also received Thanksgiving sides, like potatoes and fresh local produce.