Troop's people go above and beyond the call during this special time of year, and we're so grateful that they take the lead in positively affecting the lives of over 1,000 people today with this simple gesture. Troop is awesome."

That's how John Garcia, agency relations official for the area's Food Share program, summarized the effort put forth last week by agents and officials of Troop Real Estate Inc.'s West Ventura County offices in distributing turkey dinners with all the trimmings to more than 270 families from west county. Each meal is estimated to feed five people.

Noting that the need for assistance is perhaps greater than ever, Garcia added, "Troop cares about their community; they don't just say it, they do it."

Bob Harrison, West County regional manager for Troop, who noted that this was the fourth successive year that Troop's regional offices conducted the food distribution via its Turkey-A-Thon in cooperation with Food Share, lauded his team's effort.

"This year, even though the real estate business has been challenged, our people still dug down into their pockets and helped those who need it. We're happy to work with Food Share in this wonderful effort," Harrison said.

Individuals from all ages and backgrounds will have a brighter Thanksgiving because of the helping hand of Troop and Food Share. This included young mothers with their toddlers in tow, elderly women requiring the assistance of a cane, single people, young individuals and old men and women alike grateful for a kind gesture.

In concert with Troop's Turkey-A-Thon in Simi Valley this past Monday, Troop provided Thanksgiving meals for nearly 5,000 people this past Monday in cooperation with Care and Share.

Present at the Simi Valley event, company President Brian Troop and Troop agent Karen Thompson cited special contributions to the program from the Simi Sunrise Rotary, the Simi Police Officers Foundation, and Albertson's.

"We all have to be thankful for what we have, but there's always those less fortunate, and we need to do what we can for these individuals. This is our ninth year conducting the Turkey-A-Thon, and we're delighted that the Troop family is so willing to help others," Troop said.

Established in 1987, Troop Real Estate, Inc. is reportedly Ventura County's largest brokerage and has perennially been a leader in the county's residential market for the number and dollar volume of listings sold. The company, with approximately 650 seasoned sales professionals, provides the full range of residential, property management, REO, commercial, financial, new homes, escrow, estate homes and relocation services.

Troop offices are located in Simi Valley, Simi/Wood Ranch, Big Sky Ranch/Simi, Simi (Commercial), Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Moorpark, Camarillo, Channel Islands, Ventura, Oxnard, Santa Paula, Fillmore, Ojai and Bakersfield.