The U.S. Exercise Tiger Foundation asked Columbia residents to donate canned goods and pet food during a ceremony Wednesday afternoon to honor Tina the Turkey and his followers.
The foundation, formed in memory of service members killed in a World War II attack, honored the turkey with its Special Animal Legacy Award during a ceremony at 4:30 p.m. outside The Postal Express in the Forum Plaza Shopping Center, Executive Director Susan Haines said.
The bird, which reached celebrity status in the southwest Columbia neighborhood it called home, died Friday after being hit by a car on Chapel Hill Road.
The foundation also recognized Ultramax Sports & Apparel and The Postal Express for the companies' support of the Food Bank for Northeast and Central Missouri. Finally, it presented community support awards to Lacy Priesmeyer and Robyn McCullem, who founded Tina the Turkey's Facebook page.
