There are a few Eastside happenings that mark the start of the holiday season each year.
The annual “Miracle on 1st Street” turkey giveaway is one of them. The event draws hundreds of people each year, some lining up as early as 11 p.m. the night before.
It also attracts celebrities — including Arnold Schwarzenegger, who makes his annual pilgrimage to Boyle Heights’ Hollenbeck Youth Center.
Catching a glimpse of action film superstar and former governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was a plus for Betty Acosta on Tuesday.
“I’ve been here since 6 in the morning. I thought I was early, but it seems not,” the Boyle Heights resident said, laughing.
Acosta, and many others in line behind her, expressed gratitude for the chance to get a turkey for Thanksgiving, especially during a period of high grocery prices.
As the line of hundreds of community members stretched outside the youth sports complex, residents from across the Eastside and beyond took selfies with friends and family, showing off their holiday swag.
Some shared recipes for a Salvadoran-style roast, turkey and mole tamales, or turkey birria dishes.
District Attorney Nathan Hochman, LA County Sheriff Robert Luna and actor-producer Gabriel Luna were some of the local figures volunteering to hand out turkeys to families as they trickled into the building.
Fullerton resident Rachel Flores said she enjoyed returning to her old neighborhood of Boyle Heights every year to help distribute food to families in need.
“It makes me feel really good because I used to be one of the kids who needed the turkey and potatoes,” Flores said. “Especially at this time, with what’s going on in the country right now, there’s a big need for kids to have food.”
One Boyle Heights mother waited for her ride after securing a turkey for her family. She said the rising cost of groceries to feed her husband, three children and two grandchildren made buying an entire holiday meal nearly impossible. (Boyle Heights Beat is withholding the mother’s name to protect her family amid concerns about immigration enforcement.)
“Everything is very expensive right now with prices going up, and we can’t afford to buy dinner for Thanksgiving… It’s very important to sign up for these programs and get our turkey dinner for the family,” she said.
The woman said that the added stress of her husband being undocumented, especially amid heightened immigration enforcement, made the holidays even harder to enjoy.
“Given the current situation with immigration, my husband has had to stop working, and it’s very difficult on just one salary. We’re taking advantage of the help that’s available,” she said. “Thank God my husband hasn’t been caught by immigration. That’s been the hardest thing this year.”
During the giveaway, Schwarzenegger handed out frozen turkeys to community members, a tradition he has upheld for decades, he said.
“That’s what this is all about, it’s about sharing,” Schwarzenegger said. “It’s about making everyone feel like they’re part of America, part of Los Angeles and this community.”
And for the star whose catchphrase was “I’ll be back,” Schwarzenegger promised to return to Boyle Heights every year to come.