Marine and Rust Valley pros reunite for Salmon Arm turkey giveaway
Published 8:20 am Friday, November 21, 2025
One specializes in boat services, the other in restoring old cars, but both know how to talk turkey when it comes to giving back.
Last winter AAA Marine owner Frank Hillier teamed up with fellow Tappen resident and longtime friend Mike Hall of Rust Valley Restorers fame to host a turkey giveaway at the downtown Askew’s in Salmon Arm. Hillier estimates the two of them handed out 350 turkeys, some of which went to the Second Harvest and Salvation Army food banks along with cash donations made during the event.
In years prior, Hillier said he and Hall would donate to the local radio station turkey drive.
“We always challenged each other on the radio for turkeys every year,” said Hillier. “It started off at 25, 30 and then next thing we’re up to 150.”
Last year the duo decided to take the wheel of their own turkey drive, each buying 150 turkeys to give away from the Askew’s parking lot. Hillier said Askew’s donated additional turkeys for the event, as well as baked goods and coffee.
“If somebody could afford to buy the turkey, great, they donated the cash right there for Second Harvest or the Salvation Army, and if they couldn’t and they needed a turkey, we gave them a free turkey,” said Hillier, noting one person who took a turkey gave a $100 donation.
While there hadn’t originally been plans to make it an annual event, Hillier and Hall were so impressed and inspired by last year’s, they decided to do it again, with this year’s drive taking place between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the downtown Askew’s on Saturday, Dec. 20.
“We have close to 600 turkeys this year…,” said Hillier, explaining Askew’s is again donating along with a number of sponsors. “If there are businesses out there that want to jump in and hand some turkeys out themselves or something like that – there’s some big companies in town – we would love to have them,” said Hillier.
Donations for the local food banks will also be accepted.
Read more: Retro railcar-inspired Rust Valley reveal makes a stop at Salmon Arm farmers’ market
