WATSONVILLE — After 11 years of giving free Thanksgiving turkeys to their customers, 7-Eleven owners Sherry Dang and Kirk di Cicco recently got a gift of their own.
That came in the form of a $40 money order with a handwritten note stating that the money was intended to “more than cover” the items the sender had stolen from the store over the years.
Dang said the gesture brought her to tears, and put an exclamation point on a season profuse with kindness, generosity and giving.
She and di Cicco on Monday hosted their annual turkey giveaway, handing out 250 at their five stores.
“This is my favorite holiday,” she said. “This is our chance to thank the families.”
The tradition began when a customer of the 7-Eleven store at 261 East Lake Ave. brought a turkey dinner to employees who were working on Thanksgiving.
Touched by the gesture, Dang and di Cicco decided they would return the favor the next year by giving away turkeys to their customers.
Di Cicco said the families were chosen based on need.
“If we can provide a warm meal for a family, it gives us gratitude,” he said.
Dang and di Cicco own five stores: 1461 Main St. and 261 East Lake Ave. in Watsonville, 367 Ocean St. and 3036 Portola Drive in Santa Cruz and 1020 Terven Ave. in Salinas.
