Thanksgiving is just around the corner, but for residents of remote Alaskan communities, accessing traditional holiday foods isn't always straightforward. This is where Esther Keim, known for her heartwarming initiative dubbed the "Alaska Turkey Bomb," has made such a positive impact. For three consecutive years, the local pilot has been delivering frozen turkeys to families living off the grid by dropping them from her small aircraft. This year, her remarkable endeavor continued, ensuring holiday festivities for those who might otherwise struggle to enjoy Thanksgiving.
Residing primarily in the rugged terrains of south-central Alaska, many inhabitants face challenges when it’s time to prepare for the holidays. The state is marked by vast wilderness, and surprisingly, only about 20% is accessible via roads, particularly during winter. Therefore, snowmobiles and aircraft often serve as the primary modes of transport.
Esther’s story began with inspiration from her childhood. Growing up on a homestead, she experienced the joy of receiving turkey drops from family friends who recognized the difficulties faced by families living remotely. This created fond memories for her and, more significantly, the motivation to give back. "We had friends who would air-drop turkeys to our family during harsh winters, and it made such a difference," Keim shared, reflecting on her formative experiences.
She had initially moved to urban Alaska nearly 25 years ago, but the spirit of generosity instilled during her youth remained. The idea to revive this tradition sparked anew when she learned about the struggles of nearby neighbors trying to serve adequate holiday meals. “I was listening to one of my new neighbors talk about how they were splitting one squirrel for dinner among three adults. At the moment, I thought, 'I’m going to drop them some turkeys for Thanksgiving,'" she told Alaska’s NBC affiliate. That moment marked the inception of the Alaska Turkey Bomb.
This season, Esther made it her mission to deliver around 30 to 40 turkeys to families spread across tough-to-reach locations. Just recently, she completed the majority of her drops, though her final trips faced some delays due to unpredictable weather—a common concern for Alaskan aviators.
Among the grateful recipients were the Luce family, who live approximately 72 kilometers northwest of Anchorage along the Yentna River. Dave and Christina Luce, who described the vast beauty of their surroundings—beautiful mountain views including North America’s tallest peak, Denali—appreciated the convenience of having food delivered rather than embarking on lengthy journeys. "At 80, my husband goes on fewer trips, and it makes such a difference to have Esther thinking about us during the holidays," Christina smiled, noting the 12-pound turkey would be more than enough for them and some neighbors.
Engaging with her community has been central to Esther's mission. She often enlists friends to accompany her on the turkey drops, either helping with the flights or acting as 'turkey droppers.' The process usually begins with Keim purchasing around 20 turkeys at once, often supported by kind donations from community members who learn about her efforts through social media.
When the time arrives for turkey drops, Esther suits up, carefully wraps each bird inside plastic bags, and loads them onto her plane. With temperatures consistently cold, she confidently handles the logistics without needing to worry about refrigeration. Post delivery, she notifies families on social media about the upcoming aerial extravaganza, assuring they know when to come outside to catch their Thanksgiving prize.
Delivery operations can involve some unique challenges, especially when deep snow covers the ground. "It can be especially tricky to spot the turkeys once they’re down,” she acknowledged. One turkey, dropped some years ago, wasn’t found for five days due to heavy snow cover. Fortunately, only one unfortunate ham got lost during her adventures.
While her aim is getting sharper year by year, Keim humorously shares, "I’ve never hit someone or something!"
She typically aims to release the turkeys over frozen lakes, as the open spaces allow for easier retrieval. The joy of her program has come not just from delivering turkey but from fostering connections within her community. "Families have sent me videos and messages of appreciation," she remarked, delighting at how joyous the concept remains.",
Esther's vision doesn't stop here. With growing interest and support, she dreams of establishing Alaska Turkey Bomb as a nonprofit organization. This would enable her to expand its reach beyond turkeys, potentially providing toys or stuffed animals to kids living far away from the most basic resources. “It would be wonderful to give something special to those children,” she said, capturing her childhood memories of warmth and excitement whenever anything was delivered to them by someone who cared.
Alaska’s wilderness may pose numerous obstacles to its inhabitants, but through Kraft with care, Esther Keim continues to bring warmth and compassion to families year after year, helping them to celebrate the spirit of Thanksgiving. "Thanksgiving is such a special time for families, and I just wanted to make sure ours could enjoy it too— from the ground or air!" she beamed. Each year, as more people learn about the Alaska Turkey Bomb, Keim hopes to increase her holiday impact, ensuring the cheers echo far and wide across her favorite state.
With her humble turkey drops, Esther has created new family traditions, made memories, and brought smiles to the faces of her rural neighbors. Thanksgiving is defined not solely by the dinner served but with the loved ones gathered around the table. Thanks to her unwavering dedication to the community, many more families have been able to enjoy this heartwarming season, nurturing the hope for years to come.
