The local Pilgrim’s poultry plant is providing a juicy incentive to boost the COVID-19 vaccination rate in Gilmer County.
Pilgrim’s Ellijay had staff members in the lobby of the Gilmer Health Department Tuesday, Aug. 10, to register eligible patients for a prize drawing in which one lucky vaccine recipient will win a year’s supply of meat.
“The COVID-19 pandemic is not over, and it is increasingly important to take it seriously and get your vaccine,” said Randy Long, Pilgrim’s Ellijay complex manager. “By getting vaccinated, you not only show your neighbors that you care, but you can also enter to win free meat for a year.”
Only persons who were receiving their first COVID shot that day were eligible to enter the contest, said Garrett Ralston, the plant’s COVID superintendent.
Ralston said he and coworker Maria Rodriguez signed up nine entrants for the contest from 7:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Aug. 10. Several others came through that day to get their second COVID shot, but weren’t eligible to be registered per contest rules, Ralston noted.
“They could walk away fully vaccinated (with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine), but the stipulation is it’s got to be the first COVID shot they’ve had. They have to be starting the process,” said Ralston. “The only (other) stipulation is they can’t work at Pilgrim’s or be immediate family of a Pilgrim’s employee.”
The raffle prize will be awarded in the form of a gift card from food delivery company Wild Fork, Ralston noted. The winner can choose between several different types of meat including chicken, beef and pork to feed a family of four for a year.
Pilgrim’s team members were scheduled to return to the local health department Tuesday, Aug. 17, to register more for the giveaway. This time, their efforts coincided with a school system vaccination clinic for any teacher, family member of a student or students age 12 and up.
Ralston said the winner would be drawn following that clinic.
The Ellijay plant plans to do a similar raffle for employees who’ve been vaccinated against COVID-19, he added.
“I think more people are coming around to the idea of (getting vaccinated) due to the rise in cases,” Ralston said.
The Ellijay plant is among several other Pilgrim’s processing facilities in Georgia that are also holding “Your Shot at Free Meat for a Year” raffles to increase COVID vaccination in their communities.
“Every county where they’ve got a plant, we’re doing the same thing,” Ralston said.