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SavMor and other local businesses sponsored a ham giveaway on Dec. 20. (CAREY REEDER| ADVERTISER)

Hams were also passed out to communities in Chilton County. (TRACEY KIMBRELL | CONTRIBUTED)

Almost 500 hams overall were passed out to residents. (TRACEY KIMBRELL | CONTRIBUTED)

Representatives from McKinnon Toyota Nissan passing out hams to local residents. (TRACEY KIMBRELL | CONTRIBUTED)

Residents started lining up three hours before the start time of the giveaway. (TRACEY KIMBRELL | CONTRIBUTED)

Overall, between $7,200-$12,000 was donated by the ham giveaway. (CAREY REEDER| ADVERTISER)

By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

For the second time in as many months, SavMor and other local businesses partnered to give back towards hundreds of Chilton County residents’ holiday meal on Dec. 20. American Lawn Care, J. Clay Maddox, LLC, Lake Lawn Landscape, McKinnon Toyota Nissan and Timberline Homes partnered with the Clanton grocer to give away 480 hams at Clanton City Park. Along with hams, 480 cases of Coca-Cola were handed out with each ham to pair for the meal.

“It is a huge thing,” Jake Sim, co-owner of SavMor, said. “Between all of our partner businesses in this, everybody enjoys it and it is a fun thing to do. It has been a really good experience for us and to hang out with the other local businesses that are trying to promote each other.”

The event piggy-backed off of the turkey giveaway that SavMor, along with J Clay Maddox, LLC, Lake Lawn Landscape, McKinnon Toyota Nissan, partnered together for around Thanksgiving. SavMor had additional businesses see the good will being done and offer to help as well, growing the community morale that is shown during this community benefit.

“It is fun that other people want to jump on, reach out and do it,” Sim said. “That gave us the ability to purchase and provide even more hams to families and not having to buy their own ham for Christmas dinner.”

The giveaway was scheduled to start at 3 p.m., but cars began lining up as early as noon. The Clanton Police Department came out to direct traffic on Lay Dam Road and helped hundreds of cars safely navigate to get their hams. Additional hams were taken to communities or individuals in the Chilton community that the businesses knew were in need or could not get to the park.

Each ham that was given away costs between $15-$25, depending on what store you are shopping at and deals that may be available. Most families are saving $20-$35 on their Christmas meals by way of the giveaway. Overall, $7,200-$12,000 was the contribution made by the giveaway in monetary value.

“We thank everyone for coming out, the City of Clanton and the Clanton Police Department for directing traffic for us,” Sim said.

The event was labeled the “1st Annual Ham Giveaway,” leaving the door open for the event to become a yearly Christmas tradition.

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