Jamie Billquist said he plans to donate 50 frozen turkeys this weekend to two Jamestown organizations. His wife, Rosemary, was killed in a hunting accident on Thanksgiving eve last year. Submitted photo

Jamie Billquist knew he wanted to recognize his late wife in one form or another around the Thanksgiving holiday.

It’s an idea he said he has toyed with for several months, and one that will now come to fruition at the benefit of at least two Jamestown area nonprofit organizations this weekend.

“I’ve been thinking about it for a few months. I wanted to do something for her since this all happened right before Thanksgiving,” Billquist said of his wife, Rosemary, who was shot and killed on Thanksgiving eve of last year in a hunting accident near their Sherman home.

Billquist said he plans to purchase 50 frozen turkeys with all the trimmings from Save-A-Lot and donate them before the holiday. At the moment, the food is scheduled to be delivered either Friday night or Saturday morning to Love INC. and the Free Methodist Church in Jamestown.

“I think this is something that she would have liked,” Billquist said of the donation. “And it helps me out, just to help people since it’s something I know she would like to see.”

This weekend’s donations should be especially festive for those receiving the turkeys. Billquist said he and a friend plan to dress up as giant turkeys while they deliver the food.

The Rev. Dodi McIntyre, lead pastor at Free Methodist Church, said the donation will be a blessing for the surrounding neighborhood. She said the church holds a community dinner every year the weekend before Thanksgiving, with 100 people expected to attend Saturday. McIntyre said the food for the meal has already been donated by church members; food received from Billquist will be given to those less fortunate this year.

“We’re giving them away,” McIntyre said. “Our church sits in an area where there’s a lot of poverty and a lot of need. … This is amazing and a blessing.”

The church is located at 515 E. Seventh St.

Billquist said he plans to spend Thanksgiving with family in Buffalo, a tradition he and his wife had for several years. Following Rosemary’s death, he advocates spending the holiday with loved ones.

“I would say just be with friends and family,” Billquist said. “Enjoy the day and cherish every moment — give an extra long hug. Spend time with people and have a good time because you don’t know how long it’s going to last.”

Rosemary Billquist was shot by a neighbor just after sunset Nov. 22, 2017, while walking her two dogs. She was rushed to an Erie, Pa., hospital but later pronounced dead.

See Thursday’s edition of The Post-Journal for complete coverage.