November. The days grow shorter and the bustle of the holiday season begins its relentless pace. While thoughts run rampant with shopping, decorating and spend, spend, spending, through the buzz there is sometimes heard an inner voice that reminds of the true meaning behind it all. The word “gift” transforms from the latest gadget to a more meaningful interpretation – if that voice speaks loud enough.

Welcome to an example of benevolent holiday goodwill with walking, breathing and packing fresh- cold-turkeys volunteers.

Salem harbors a closeknit family of doers that have chosen to quietly act upon the idea of giving – literally putting their money where their mouth’s are. Or more accurately, where their needy neighbor’s mouths are.

The Dziobas will be providing 100 turkey dinners for others this year. They began their venture when Chet, owner of Dzioba Construction, decided five years ago to provide dinners for those that may not have the means to provide the traditional feast for their families. He and his wife, Lisa, began a tradition then within their own lives based on caring for others, and like all great leaders they practiced what they preached, building a family roster of charitable volunteerism and effort through their own children.

How does someone take the concept of providing for those less fortunate to actual fruition? According to Lisa, the voice behind the momentum, with lots of camaraderie and support from other like-minded souls. As she notes, there is something contagious about the spirit of doing for others.

Expanding on their five-year tradition and with assistance from family members, friends, employees and the knowing steerage of various community organizations, 25 turkeys in feast-laden baskets were dispersed last year to families in the Salem/Derry area. The intention packed into those individual baskets of turkeys, potatoes, stuffing, yams and other assorted holiday fare is actually one of hope, a palatable reminder that people care and through acts of kindness can make the holidays brighter for those who struggle just to get by.

Families that receive these gift baskets from the heart are chosen by various human service departments in the area.

This leaves the difficult process of determining need to those organizations most equipped to make those decisions which benefit the many programs through the community, including Head Start program and Webster House during the holiday. Lisa’s comment that they don’t want to forget the teenagers in the community shows the scope of the Dzioba vision and how they see the need in their community rather than turn a blind eye.

The Dziobas are not rich, in Lisa’s words. However, their spirit and compassion for their neighbors arguably places them in the upper tier of charitable kindness. There are no fundraisers to assist in paying for the food contained in their holiday turkey baskets.

Various grocery stores offer discounts for quantity purchases but the brunt of the expense comes out of the pockets of this family and those who support them.

When Chet announced he wanted to top last year’s donation of 25 turkeys with an additional 75 baskets this year, his wife was, at first, surprised then busily began the process of making it happen.

With sister-in-law Paula’s efficient managerial skills and the physical brawn and transporting tools found in the construction industry, 100 fresh– not frozen, mind you – turkeys, along with all the goodies to make each basket a true feast were secured from the grocery store.

Monday morning, in a garage on Shore Drive, with the rest of the world dragging into the shortened business week, the sound of happy chatter and easy laughter is heard as baskets are assembled by an all-volunteer group of family and friends. Using planks of two-by-fours, they will construct their baskets in assembly line fashion, having learned over the years the most efficient and timely manner to get these treats ready for transport as quickly as possible. The heavy sounds of lifting and loading trucks will follow before a final rumble of engines take the finished baskets, complete with bows and extra good wishes, to the drop-off sites for distribution.

The families receiving these baskets don’t necessarily know where the baskets come from- – there is no advertising or sponsorship attached. Recognition is not the motive for all this hard work; helping to provide a special meal for others is.

When the holidays pass and the Dzioba garage once again harbors the family car, there remains a lingering snapshot in time of a small group of individuals that personify the meaning of the season.