Samuel Dixon Family Health Centers Inc. is one of six charitable organizations in the Santa Clarita Valley that received a turkey donation from Operation Gobble, a longtime program offered by Valencia Water Company.

Ed Masterson, field representative for Assemblyman Cameron Smyth, R-Santa Clarita, and Jackie Bick, field representative for Sen. George Runner, R-Antelope Valley, visited the turkey distribution Tuesday at the family health center in Val Verde.

Samuel Dixon Family Health Centers was to distribute the 60 turkeys to patients based on need in Val Verde and at the organization's other locations in Canyon Country and Newhall.

"Patients anxiously await the turkeys every year," said Beverly Johnson, controller of Valencia Water Company. "We are happy that we can help the community in this way."

Cheryl Laymon, Dixon health centers executive director, is also thrilled with the program.

"Some of our patients have nowhere else to turn for health care services, and giving them a little helping hand during the holidays is such a nice and appreciated gesture," she said.

Operation Gobble is a program initiated by private water utilities throughout California for the benefit of the community during the holidays. Valencia Water Company has participated in this program for more than 15 years.

Dixon's three SCV centers and outreach sites at College of the Canyons and California Institute of the Arts offer a full range of health care services, including physicals, immunizations and vaccines, screenings and diagnostic tests, well-baby care and family planning.

Patients pay based on their income.

This past year, the service provided for 8,000 patient visits.