Thousands of Vanderbilt faculty and staff members dropped by Langford Auditorium last Friday for the annual “Turkey Toss” Employee Appreciation event.

A longstanding Vanderbilt tradition, Turkey Toss is a way to thank university and medical center employees for their service by offering them their choice of a turkey, a vegetarian tofurkey, or a Vanderbilt oven mitt.

This year’s event also was highlighted by a visit from Santa, carolers in Victorian costume, festive holiday decorations, and all the popcorn and candy employees could eat.

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Turkey Toss: By the Numbers

11,808 turkeys

352 tofurkeys

3,000 oven mitts

92 pounds of candy

1,815 bags of popcorn

138 volunteers serving 18 hours

All photos by Anne Rayner