Nov 4, 2017 5 min read

Thanksgiving is less than three weeks away, and you can’t walk into a grocery store now without seeing turkeys, stuffing mix and cranberries.

Thanks to the generosity the local organizations, businesses and individuals who have helped the 2000 Turkeys campaign grow from a seasonal food campaign for the unemployed into a Washington County tradition that helps provide a Thanksgiving meal for thousands of local families in need, we are getting closer to meeting our goal of raising $100,000.

To date, the campaign -the largest single fundraiser on behalf of the Greater Washington County Food Bank – has raised $22,222.

We’re thankful for community members like SE Schultz Electric Inc., a family-owned business whose owners, Stephen and Melissa Schultz said they “know the importance of being with your family during the holidays and enjoying a meal together, especially Thanksgiving,” and encouraged other Washington County residents to donate spare change to 2000 Turkeys.

We’re also thankful to Shawnda Van Houtem, owner of Say Unique, a Canonsburg Salon, and organizer of Short Street Market, which is hosting an artisan market from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday at 809 Short St., Canonsburg, and donating proceeds to 2000 Turkeys. The market will feature six local artisans and Country-Hammer Moonshine. Fundraising events include a corn hole tournament at 2 p.m. ($5 entry fee, bring your own board), a 50/50 raffle and $1 shots.

Van Houtem, who enjoyed markets when she lived in Holland and other European countries, organized the Short Street Market in 2016 to provide a venue for local vendors and to give back to the community she grew up in. She donates the money she raises at the market to charities.

“2000 Turkeys is a really great thing,” said Van Houtem. “When I heard about what 2000 Turkeys does, I wanted to help out.”

2000 Turkeys has gotten plenty of help. But there’s a long way to go. If you’d like to contribute to the 2000 Turkeys campaign, drop off a donation at WJPA radio station, N. Main St., Washington, Pa., or the Observer-Reporter office, next door to the radio station, at 122 S. Main St. Or, mail your tax-deductible donation to 2000 Turkeys, P.O. Box 2000, Washington, PA 15301.

Our thanks to the generous donations from the following:

Sandra Lee Dillard, in memory of Dale Dillard, Jr. $20

Gary & Colleen Craig $20

Ben BC Coleman & Family $200

Robert & Vernice Phillips $50

SE Schultz Electric Inc. $1,000

Barbara Noble $25

Rebecca Michalka, in memory of John Michalka, Jr. $100

Kathryn Rash $25

Terry & Tamara Oblock $25

Michael & Julie McLaughlin $200

Cris Hamilton $20

Valerie Farquharson $25

Bonnie McClure $25

Bernard & Lillian Veres $25

Rons Self Storage Inc. $50

A.M. & Patricia Soulakis $25

Donna Stemski, in memory of Harry “Mousey” McKee $50

Laurie & James Cadez $25

Violet & Robert Azman $25

Catherine Dhanse $20

Daniel & Katherine Bayer $25

Tops PA 1641 Washington $50

Doug & Patty Fraley, in memory of Shirley Reynard $25

Edward & Ruth Nagy $25

Dennis Ford, in memory of Debbie Bash-Ford $50

William & Sandra Hewitt $25

April & Eric Betzner $50

Kathleen Popeck $20

Bill & Roseann Massengill $40

John & Deb Swart, in memory of Carol Backner $100

George & Lois Weiss $100

Mary Lou & Alvin Briggs $50

Susan & Harry Grubich $100

Reed & Lou Vaira $50

Gloria Mankey $75

Twila & Jordan Cain $50

Norman & Donna Dinardo $50

Rene Saut $25

Rocco & Massimo Falconi $100

Russell & Deborah Knight $50

M. Tucker $50

Catherine Gennocro $30

Phil & Jennie Hamilton $50

David & Darlene Stotka $150

Frank & Kathy Morris $25

Patrick Morgan $200

Martha Hansotte $20

Richard Stephens $25

Janice Swart $20

Helen Abel $25

Pamela Siegel $200

Valerie Espino $100

Harry McKee $50

Frank Serra & Suzie Harding $25

David & Beverly Reck $50

Shirley Mastnock $400

James & Sandra Curtis Craig $100

Kathleen Zupancic $100

Marianne Povich $25

Allan Junker $100

Dorothy Dillemuth $100

Cindy Brookman $25

Kalliope Flaskos, in memory of Anthony & Maria Flaskos $25

Walter Lekwart $50

Ferne Rogers $50

Sam Post, in honor of wife Mary Post and sister Mary Post Borsare $100

Jamie Torboli $50

Allan Zimmerman $50

Karen Kopnitsky $25

Joann Ireland $20

Nancy Hunter $400

William Douglas Canan $25

Sandra Todaro $20

Ro & Russ Orenchuk $50

Garvin & Rosalyn Putt $25

Kathleen Voigt $25

Agnes Belcher $100

Terry & Janet George $100

Peter & Denise Coppola $25

Faith United Prebyterian Church Quilters $25

Carrie Casciola $50

Willard & Janet Jobes $50

Edward Patrick $100

Mary Seghi $20

Marsha Knapik $25

Virginia & Paul Lukas $20

Mark F. Geary $25

George & Beverly Philabaum $25

Charles & Deborah Sethman $25

Noreen Kubincanek $25

Michael Poness $20

Joanne Duntz $25

Carol & Elvis Barnes $25

Luz & Kathy Armenini, in memory of Harry & Kay Shumaker $25

Daniel Miller $30

Patricia Huffman $20

Jay & Joan Helsel $50

Rose Tournay $25

Sandra Lee Wallace $1,000

Peter & Ann Pozonsky $25

Margaret Beamer, in memory of Carol D. Backner $100

Carole & John Pankas, in memory of Elaine Mannina $75

Theresa Shape $25

Joan & Frank Steiminger, Jr $25

Robert Cunningham $50

Mary Jane Kolesar $50

Doris Piatt $100

John Mary, in memory of Brian Mary $20

David & Kathy Curdie $25

Roberta Mong $20

Adam & Skeeter $25

Bob & Shirley Donaldson $50

Ron & Linda Luisi $25

Jack & Kathy Egers $25

David & Donna Holliday $50

Kenneth & Catherine Shingle $30

Dennis & Linda Sarchet $25

James & Nancy Wright $50

Eric & Evelyn Volas $25

Nick & Donna Nardine $25

Davidson United Methodist Church $250

John & Denise Quayle $100

Lee Hott, in loving memory of Tierne Kopko Ewing & Robert L. Hott $25

Anonymous $30

Anonymous $20

Anonymous $20

Anonymous $200

Anonymous $25

Anonymous $50