It all started with a car accident more than 15 years ago.

Joseph Savage’s world came crashing down as he learned a car had struck his youngest son while he was riding a bicycle.

For 25 days, Savage’s son lay in the hospital — for 10 of those, living and dying were both possible outcomes. Savage made a plea to God: give me back my son and I’ll do everything to serve you better.

Fast-forward to the present day, and Savage’s son is alive and well, but that memory still drives Savage to fulfill his promise to God. It drove him to start a fundraiser three years ago to help Zion Shelter and Kitchen in Washington.

And thanks to his efforts, the shelter is able to give its guests a brighter Thanksgiving holiday today.

This is the third year Savage has raised money in front of the Piggly Wiggly off of 15^th Street in Washington to purchase turkeys to donate to the shelter for Thanksgiving.

Monday night he delivered seven Butterball turkeys to the shelter, a more expensive and higher-quality venture than in years past.

“I got the best turkeys this year,” Savage said. “It all boils down to people helping people.”

To gather donations to purchase the turkeys, he sold raffle tickets, which put participants in the running for a gift card or one of his own cleaning products, Savage Beast Tire Shine. He set up a table outside of the Piggly Wiggly location every afternoon after work, except Wednesdays and Sundays.

Savage said he was worried about raising enough money this year since his time fundraising was cut short by the weather.

“I hadn’t been out there as much as I planned to be out there,” he said. “It gets kind of rough… It rained on me a couple days out there.”

Although there isn’t anyone to relieve him of the post when he needs it, Savage said he is hoping to get his family more involved with the cause.

But his work is not over yet. And the work of fulfilling his promise to God will arguably never be over.

Savage said he plans to fundraise for several more weeks, raising money for turkeys to give to the shelter at Christmas, as well as money for more beds there.

He said that people don’t know if they’ll be in position of needing assistance someday, so he hopes his actions will inspire others to pass on the kindness.

“I enjoy what I’m doing because it gives me the opportunity to meet people,” he said. “I want to be able to walk down the street and (people) say, ‘I’m glad I met you.’”