In honor of the holidays, a successful business owner in Wisconsin has sent a gift to hometown. This week, Holiday Vacations based in Eau Claire Wisconsin, donated 15-hundred turkeys, hams, and pork roasts to Churches United of the Quad Cities. The travel company, Holiday Vacations, is owned by Pat Stoffers who grew up in Bettendorf.
Company spokesman, Steve Youngblood, says each year Stoffers and employees select several cities for holiday donations. And this year, along with the Quad Cities, food has been given to community agencies in Michigan, Alaska, and Wisconsin.
"When we look at our neighbors in need and realize it's a struggle to put food on the table any day of the year, but particularly in the holiday season when everybody's supposed to be enjoying family and filling their bellies. We just wanted to help people have that celebration."
He says Stoffers founded Holiday Vacations 42 years ago.
"Really the idea started in college when he started carting university students to Florida for spring break. And it evolved into a pretty nice business these days - 42 years old and 42 years of growth."
Youngblood says the company organizes and conducts escorted group tours, all over the world.
The gift to Churches United of turkeys, hams, and pork roasts will be given to 24 food pantries in Scott and Rock Island counties.