Turkey trolley makes Thanksgiving less lonely

Sarasota, Florida - The Sarasota Trolley, usually used for parties and sight seeing tours, turns into a turkey trolley filled with pilgrims and Indians with one wish on this day.

"Happy Thanksgiving," the group shouts out to people as they stroll through town.

The trolley rolls into neighborhoods bringing those alone on Thanksgiving a bit of the holiday spirit. One stop off South Tamiami Trail is to 77 year old Mary Dimler. A volunteer reads her a turkey gram, "Happy Thanksgiving and all the things good and bright. May peace love and happiness turn every darkness to light."

Dimler is taken by surprise, she expected two visitors not a trolley full." I can't express the way my heart feels because nobody has even done this for me," says Dimler. "We will be back next year," assures a special visitor.  Dr. Mario-Max Prince of Schaumburg-Lippe of Germany visiting the area on business changed his plans when he heard about the Turkey Trolley. "I really had to hold my tears it's so touching," says the prince.

The prince plans to take the Operation Home Alone idea back to his country. "Everybody should do something like that it's so simple so easy. You ask in your neighborhood who is lonely and you bring them a little treat. It's simple so much more than a gesture it's a big thing that brightens the life of a person," says Prince Schaumburg-Lippe.

The well wishers bring cheer, a thanksgiving dinner, flowers and some company.

"It makes it, makes my Thanksgiving day," says Florence Gimefky. She adds, "All you people giving up your holiday to come, Thank you."

Rochelle Herman started Operation Home Alone two years ago. "The seasonal depression kicks in on Thanksgiving Day people realize how alone you really are even if it's just separation of family from one state to another."

Rochelle says she thought of the program in 2007 when she found herself alone. She was recently divorced and had sent her kids to enjoy Thanksgiving with their father. The first year she helped deliver about 20 Thanksgiving dinners this year the number is up to 40. Rochelle says she's been receiving many calls and expects that number to double next year. Rochelle hopes to expand the program to St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Palmetto. "I could never stop doing this," says Rochelle. She adds, "I don't think people realize what a tightly knit people we are and how much our Sarasota community watches out for each other they really do care."

Rochelle says Sarasota Trolley gives her a discount to rent the two trolleys for Sarasota and Bradenton. She pays for it using money raised through out the year. Paul Mattison of Mattison's Restaurants donated the dinners, Beneva Florists donated the flowers, Station 400 gives the dessert, Ceviche covered the costume rentals, Signs in One Day donated the trolley banner and Whole Foods gave the drinks and snacks for the volunteers.

Rochelle estimates 135 volunteers helped put together this year's Turkey Trolley for Operation Home Alone. At each stop the volunteers sing a song, read a turkey gram and spend some quality time with the person they're visiting.

"You make me cry, "says 90 year old Mary Marshal. One of her 3 nieces nominated her for today's visit. 'I'm elated," says Marshal.

But as in every case those who are visited on Thanksgiving cry tears of joy and gratitude. Marie Dimler waves goodbye to the trolley and has this message for the volunteers, "Thank you and God bless you are you've left me speechless for once in my life. Thank you."

To contact Operation Home Alone you can call Rochelle Herman at 941-350-4497 or you can write to her at

http://www.tellrochelle.com/