How It All Started

This year marks the 23rd Anniversary of The Brennan-Hart Turkey Ministry. On behalf of The Community Church of Wilmette and our fathers, we, Kathleen Brennan, Michael Brennan and Eliza Hart, would like to share with you the purpose and history of The Brennan-Hart Turkey Ministry. This ministry, dedicated to providing those families in need with turkeys at Thanksgiving, began in 1987, when Jim Brennan purchased and delivered about 40 turkeys to families in the area. Soon after and for many years to follow, The Community Church of Wilmette joined in this continued effort to provide more and more families with turkeys at Thanksgiving. Close to a decade later, and many years of continual participation in the mission he began, Jim Brennan died in 1996 after a 2-year battle with cancer. After Jim Brennan’s passing and the Thanksgiving season once again approaching, Chip Hart stepped in to continue the work his long-time family and church friend had started. Chip’s leadership not only allowed the church family to continue to provide turkeys for families, but also honor Jim Brennan’s memory. In 2006, after a decade of continuing the work Jim Brennan had started, Chip died unexpectedly.

The Community Church of Wilmette asked us, Jim and Chip’s children, to continue their mission. Here we are today, representing the Brennan-Hart ministry, to honor our fathers and continue the mission they started and grew.