ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — In Alaska’s most remote areas, relying on delivery services like DoorDash for essentials such as Thanksgiving dinner is simply not an option. Yet, some residents living deep off the grid can still enjoy a festive feast this holiday season, thanks to a compassionate initiative known as the Alaska Turkey Bomb.
For three consecutive years, Esther Keim, a dedicated resident of rural south-central Alaska, has been piloting a small aircraft over isolated communities, delivering frozen turkeys to those who cannot easily access stores. This year, her mission expanded significantly, as she prepared to drop a total of 32 turkeys to residents in cabins cut off from road access.
Keim’s deep commitment to this cause was inspired by her childhood memories. Growing up on a homestead in Alaska, she fondly recalls a family friend who would airdrop turkeys and other goods to her family and their neighbors during the holiday season. Despite her family moving to a more urban part of Alaska nearly 25 years ago, they still maintain their homestead, which influenced Keim’s decision to revive this tradition.
The initiative gained momentum after Keim learned about a nearby family living off the land with scarce resources for Thanksgiving. “They mentioned that a squirrel for dinner didn’t go far among three people,” Keim said, reflecting on the moment that sparked her desire to help. “I thought to myself … ‘I’m going to airdrop them a turkey.’”
The logistics of delivering turkeys in Alaska can be challenging due to the terrain and unpredictable weather. Approximately 80% of the state is wilderness, and during winter, residents often depend on small aircraft or snowmobiles to traverse the landscape. Traveling along frozen rivers can also serve as makeshift routes.
By Tuesday, Keim had successfully delivered all but two of the turkeys, although weather conditions complicated the delivery plans for the last two birds. Among the recipients were Dave and Christina Luce, who reside on the Yentna River, about 45 miles (72 kilometers) northwest of Anchorage. The couple enjoys breathtaking views of Denali, North America’s tallest peak, but during winter, they face a 90-minute snowmobile journey to reach the nearest town, which they undertake about once a month. “I’m 80 years old now, so we make fewer and fewer trips,” Dave Luce admitted. “The adventure has sort of gone out of it.”
Esther’s turkey delivery efforts spread primarily through word of mouth and social media, allowing her to connect with families who could benefit from her generosity. Each year, she aims to deliver between 30 and 40 turkeys, covering distances of up to 100 miles (161 kilometers) from her base, flying toward the foothills of Denali. Sometimes she partners with a friend who becomes her “turkey dropper,” while at other times, she manages the turkey drops herself, with friends piloting.
Keim typically purchases around 20 turkeys at a time, funded through donations from generous supporters who connect with her via social media. She stores the turkeys in plastic garbage bags in the bed of her pickup truck until she can organize the flights, taking advantage of Alaska’s cold weather to keep them frozen. “Luckily, it’s cold in Alaska, so I don’t have to worry about freezers,” she said.
Upon nearing the delivery locations, Keim contacts families to let them know she is on the way. As she approaches, she ensures that those receiving the turkeys are outside by buzzing their homes, waiting for them to emerge before releasing the birds. “We won’t drop the turkey until we see them come out, because if they don’t see it fall, they won’t know where to look,” she explained.
Finding the turkeys can be a challenge, especially if deep snow covers the ground. Keim recounted one instance when a turkey went missing for five days before it was eventually located. Thankfully, the only significant mishap has been a lost ham. To improve the chances of a successful find, she prefers to drop the turkeys onto frozen lakes when possible.
“As far as accuracy goes, I am definitely not the best at hitting my target,” Keim joked. “I’ve gotten better, but I have never hit a house, person, or dog.” However, the joy she sees from families receiving the turkeys is the most gratifying reward. Many recipients record their turkey drops and send her videos and messages expressing their gratitude. “They think it’s pretty amazing that we throw these things out of the plane,” Keim noted.
Looking to the future, Keim envisions launching a nonprofit organization aimed at sourcing more donations and extending her reach across a broader area of the state. “There are so many children out in the villages,” she said. “It would be wonderful to maybe include stuffed animals or similar items that they could cherish.”
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Bohrer reported from Juneau, Alaska.
