The Brainchild of Esther Keim

This year marks the third consecutive Thanksgiving that Alaska native Esther Keim has orchestrated this remarkable effort. Her mission is driven by a personal history tied to the state’s harsh winters, particularly her own childhood experiences living on a homestead in Skwentna, approximately 50 miles northwest of Anchorage.

“During the freeze-up in the fall, families were essentially stranded. Travel wasn’t safe, and everything was freezing,” Keim recalled in a video for the Alaska Gear Company.

One fond memory stands out for Keim—a family friend who would drop off a Thanksgiving turkey, carefully wrapped in newspaper with a pack of gum, a luxury for a child with no nearby store.

The Challenge of Isolation

As Keim explains, the transition from fall to winter, marked by the freeze-up, can leave rural Alaskan communities practically cutoff for at least three weeks. This is a time during which residents face extreme difficulties sourcing food due to the lack of accessible roads. Families are only able to travel by plane, snowmobile, or boat.

Her endeavor was sparked anew last year when she heard about a family struggling to find food for Thanksgiving. “He mentioned that one squirrel doesn’t go far when split three ways,” Keim recounted. This heart-wrenching moment led her to take action, and her initial effort to drop a turkey for one family expanded to encompass many more. “I remembered how special those turkey drops were for my family and others. I wanted to recreate that feeling,” she said.

The Logistics of the Turkey Bomb

The delivery logistics are indeed remarkable. Keim and her pilot, Heidi Hastings, fly low and slow, searching for families outside their homes. The pair looks for telltale signs of life, and when they spot someone, they execute the drop. This thoughtful approach allows Keim to witness the joy on the children’s faces firsthand.

“I could see their excitement,” she told the Associated Press.

Serving Families: A Holiday Gift

This year’s effort reached around 30 families. One recipient was Dave Luce, an 80-year-old resident living northwest of Anchorage on the Yentna River. The Luces typically only travel to the nearest town once a month during winter, requiring a 90-minute snowmobile journey. Keim’s thoughtful delivery of a 12-pound turkey provided significant relief for the aging couple.

“She’s been a real sweetheart and a good friend. It makes for a great Thanksgiving,” Luce shared gratefully.

Beyond the turkey itself, Keim includes sweet treats in her packages, understanding how rare candy can be for children in remote areas. “As a kid growing up out there, I understand what candy meant and how rare it was,” she explained.

A Community Effort

Keim’s airdrop operation heavily relies on donations to cover expenses. She purchases turkeys in bulk—about 20 at a time—and stores them in her truck, effectively taking advantage of Alaska’s frigid temperatures to keep them frozen. “Thankfully, it’s cold in Alaska, so I don’t have to worry about refrigeration,” she joked.

Her dedication to expanding the project remains unwavering. “My vision is to turn this into a nonprofit organization to secure more funding and support, allowing me to reach even more families in Alaska’s rural and off-grid communities,” she declared.

The Legacy of the Turkey Bomb

The Alaska Turkey Bomb stands as a testament to the power of connecting with one’s roots and transforming cherished childhood memories into a living, breathing mission. Each airdrop not only provides sustenance but also serves as an infusion of joy for families living in one of the most isolated regions of America.

This Thanksgiving, as the skies above south-central Alaska filled with the sight of flying turkeys, the spirit of community and generosity soared higher than any plane could fly. Keim’s heartwarming initiative sheds light on the challenges faced by those in remote areas while showcasing the resilience and resourcefulness that define the Alaskan spirit.