Local DJ Starts 'Save Thanksgiving Coalition'

Rusty Surette, News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A local radio station is doing something about the early arrival of Old Saint Nick. One of their DJs said the early arrival of Christmas is making people forget about the holiday that brings families together: Thanksgiving.

Even with a week before Thanksgiving, Christmas decorations and lights are already going up around town. Malls have Christmas jingles on the radio and stocking stuffers are already filling store shelves. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Oklahoma.

"I think it's a little too soon," said Jones resident Tanner Minnick. "We still have to get through Thanksgiving.

"It's a little too soon for Christmas decorations," agreed Oklahoma City resident Kaya Ingles.

While many residents are talking about the early arrival of Christmas, one local radio DJ is trying to do something about it.

Crash Poteet is the morning DJ on 93.3 JAKE FM and he's starting the "Save Thanksgiving Coalition."

"We just have concerns, as do our listeners, about saving Thanksgiving," said Crash, who insists the idea of forming the group isn't a radio gimmick.

"This idea came from several of our listeners. We're just worried about where Thanksgiving will be in ten years. Are we going to have mistletoes on Veteran's Day?" asked the local DJ.

The longtime disc jockey said the early arrival of Christmas is no accident. He feels it's one way big business is making the most of their fourth quarter profits, but he said unfortunately, it's coming at the expense of Thanksgiving.

"It just squeezes out a holiday that brings lots of families together. Thanksgiving brings us Bedlam on the weekends here in Oklahoma, and we just don't want Thanksgiving to become an afterthought," said Poteet.

Crash is asking his listeners to sign an online petition to save the turkey day, but he admits he's not sure what he's going to do with the petition or who he'll give it to. Sign the online petition.