RESIDENTS GIVE SOMETHING BACK TURKEYS, BABY FOOD TOP ITEMS IN DRIVE.

Byline: Peggy Hager Staff Writer

PALMDALE - The generosity of Antelope Valley residents was evident once again by their donations to the Antelope Valley Boys and Girls Club's annual Thanksgiving food drive.

For the third consecutive year, Mitchell Chase camped out in a trailer in the Albertson's parking lot at Tierra Subida Avenue and Palmdale Boulevard collecting donations.

``It's been one of the coldest drives, but it's been very good,'' said Chase, a Jones Intercable Channel 3 sports reporter.

Sponsored by the Antelope Valley Boys and Girls Club, Jones Channel 3 News and KIIS-FM (97.7), the drive is expected to bring in more than 10,000 pounds of food.

Chase has been living in the trailer since Thursday so he can keep an eye on the donations. Joining him in his endeavor this year are his three sons: Micah, 13, Josh, 11, and Abe, 9. Chase also has a 7-year-old daughter who stayed home with mom, Sherry.

``We like helping him out 'cause it's fun,'' Abe Chase said.

Chase thanked his wife for supporting his continuing efforts.

``Sherry for years has been putting up with this and never complains. She's very supportive,'' he said.

Food collected this year will be divided among South Antelope Valley Emergency Services, a food bank sponsored by the city of Palmdale; Grace Resource Center, a nonprofit food bank in Lancaster; the Valley Oasis Women's Shelter; and the Lancaster Community Shelter.

Baby food has been a popular item to give this year with nearly 4,000 jars being donated. Albertson's ``turkey bucks'' - supermarket coupons toward turkey purchases - are also proving to be a popular donation with more than 200 having been received.

On Saturday, West Coast Jams let Chase use its sound system and in three hours he raised $1,500.

Chase has been collecting donations for organizations since 1992 but became more committed to the idea five years ago.

``Five years ago the meaning behind it changed. I'm a recovering alcoholic. I hit a very low point five years ago and people helped us out. We ate from the food bank. I could do this every day and never be able to repay the kindness that was given to my family and me,'' Chase said.

Chase is not the only one who gives back to the community for the food drive. Every year there is a special story, Chase said. This year it was a woman who came up and gave him $2 and said, ``I didn't eat last week and have food this week, so I have to give.''

Volunteers from the Boys and Girls Club, Boy Scouts and young people from Calvary Road Baptist Church were expected Monday afternoon to pack up all the donations received during the past five days. The donations will be delivered to the various organizations today at 9 a.m.

People who still want to donate can contact the organizations directly by calling SAVES at [phone]; the Lancaster Community Shelter at [phone]; the Grace Resource Center at [phone] or the Valley Oasis Women's Shelter at [phone].

Chase said he enjoys helping, but hopes his children get something out of volunteering as well.

``I want to see people fed, but personally I want to see my children grow up and give back to the communities they grew up in,'' Chase said.

CAPTION(S):

photo

Photo:

(color) Mitchell Chase, a Jones Intercable Channel 3 sports reporter, sits with his sons, from left, Abe, 9, Josh, 11, and Micah, 13, during the annual food drive.

Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer