Nov 25, 2017 8 min read

Thank you, Washington County.

Because of your willingness to open your hearts and your pocketbooks to help your neighbors, the 2000 Turkeys campaign reached – and surpassed – its goal of raising $100,000 to provide Thanksgiving dinners for food-insecure people in Washington County.

Washington County individuals, businesses and organizations donated $120,431.08.

2000 Turkeys began in 1983 as a seasonal food campaign launched by the late Observer-Reporter columnist Byron Smialek and civic activist Wayne Armstrong, along with WJPA disc jockey Pete Povich and Grace Hopwood, for the unemployed. It has grown into the single largest fundraiser for Greater Washington County Food Bank.

Those donations enabled the food bank to provide fresh turkeys or hams, stuffing, mashed potatoes and other trimmings for Washington County families who need assistance from the food bank.

It has become a tradition for many families and groups to donate to 2000 Turkeys – from Greenbriar Treatment Center’s annual penny drive to annual contributions from The Train Gang, VFW Post 191, Kang’s Black Belt Academy and individuals who donate in memory of a loved one.

2000 Turkeys wants you to know that when you sat down to Thanksgiving dinner with your family, your donation, small or large, enabled other families to enjoy the holiday with their loved ones, too.

On behalf of the 2000 Turkeys board – David Rhome, Pete Povich, Tim Solobay, Grace Hopwood and Karen Mansfield – and the families you helped, thank you for your generosity and your efforts to make Washington County a great place to live.

If you would like to donate to 2000 Turkeys, please send your donation, made payable to 2000 Turkeys, to 2000 Turkeys, P.O Box 2000, Washington, PA 15031.

Thank you to the following of their generous contributions.Bev & Fred Kaste $35

Ralph, Dyane, Tyler & Myresa Troiano, in memory of our Parents & Grandparents $40

Pete & Amy Cimino $25

Robert & Joann Lloyd $25

Washington Square Flower Shop $50

Joseph & Carolyn Rendziak $25

August & Ada Rose Ralston $91.01

Bruce & Cheryl Carson $50

Floryan J., Jr. & Bernadette, in memory of Floryan J. & Susan Sendora, Sr. $25

Liberty United Methodist Church $200

Fairhill Manor Croppers, in honor of Fairhill Manor Christian Church $50

Jeff Smith $50

Dian Geyer $50

Stevie & Tommy Rizor $40

John & Joyce Holland $25

Hawkins Home Post Aid Assoc. VFW Post 927 $500

Chris & Lena Potts $50

Bernard & Sharon Halpin $50

Leonard & Eileen Laabs $100

George & Denise Joseph $50

Richard & June McKitrick, in memory of our beloved brother Bernard E. Gareis, AKA Buddy Sharpe $40

Ruth & Hanna O’Bosky, in memory of James O’Bosky (pap-pap) & George Kline (pap-pap-pap) $20

Barry & Barbara Charriere $40

Jerome Skowvron $20

Lanny Frattare $30

Terry & Susan Hazlett $100

Nancy & Michael Sapko $100

Mt. Calvary EV Lutheran Church $263

James & Debra Rhone $50

A&S Landscaping $150

David & Rebecca Mayer $30

Victor & Laura Perri $25

David’s Limited $50

Patrick & Deborah Guyton $25

Employee of Greenbriar Treatment Center $1,354

Missionary Society of Upper Ten Mile Presbyterian Church $20

Larry & Tillie Simpson, in memory of mother Julia Skariot $25

K. John & Virginia Ullom $25

Mark Copeland Family $30

Carol & Bill Martin $25

Gerald & Deborah Lowery, in memory of Rosalie Lowery & Byron T. Smialek $100

Joyce Robinson $25

Pete & Mildred Hendricks $30

Lou Ann Nestor $25

Order of the Daughters of Penelope $25

Susan Gross $50

Anne & Alvin Altieri $50

Bernice & Candis Borkowski $15

Ronald & Vicki Dzikowski $35

Margaret Elliott, in memory of Charles W. “Red” Elliott $100

Mae & Sheila Carter $50

Ted & Phyllis Dutton $25

Bertha Weigmann $20

Richard & Janet Delprato $25

Ruth Fullerton $20

Kenneth & Susan Boone $50

Velma & Robert Hollick $50

Kathy & Dennis Bell $50

Janet W. Brach, in memory of Anthony F. Brach $20

Thomas & Sandra McMurray $50

Robert & Betty Hodgens $50

Edward & Charlane Bickar $50

Sally Pallesco, in memory of Ralph Pallesco $25

Virginia Johnston $10

George Coleman, Jr., in loving memory of my wife Darlene $50

Arthur & Anna Batson $20

Joseph Crivella $100

Patrick & Linda Donahue $50

Mary Lou Campbell $20

Joseph Pato $25

The Almasy Family, in memory of Ed Almasy $20

James & Dana Baughman $50

Alanna Carroll $50

Roger & Ginny McElhaney $25

Joseph & Linda Larocka $50

Lower Ten Mile Presbyterian Church $200

James & Rebecca Jackson $50

Fawcett United Methodist Church Elizabeth Hartman Circle $100

Nancy & Edmond Cononge $50

Michael & Janet Racko $40

Roy & Janice Crouse $50

Robert & Mildred Brownlee $20

Pat Braddock-Steiner, in memory of mother Mary Braddock & brother Jesse Braddock $30

Ronald & Patience Grummick, in memory of Carol Backner $25

Jan & Tony Conn, in memory of Rhonda Liggett $50

Larry & Karen Headley $50

Hunter Rubis $25

Edward & Mary Vensko $40

Brayden & Rylee Greathouse $10

Margaret Fischer, in honor of Byron Smialek $25

Lloyd & Barbara Dearolph $35

Allan Lucchini $100

Gerard & Nancy Weiss $125

Kathie & John Stepko $50

Barrett & Sara Greenlee $ 100

Gary & Anne Waters $25

William Johnson $50

Olive Conn $25

George Toward & Mary Jane Broglio $30

Joe & Eleanor DeWitte $30

Emily Kumor Shade $25

Cindy & Gene Beattie, in memory of Carol Crouch $25

Daniel & Janice Rowsick $50

Linda Paxton $100

Perry & Dorothy Pinto $50

Marian W. Sanders, in memory of husband Harry F. Sanders $2,000

Marian R. Sanders, in memory of father Harry F. Sanders $50

Charles & Diana Allen $25

Margaret E. Frazier $20

The Guzel Family $50

Deborah & Thomas Martin $50

Mary Cessar $30

Patricia Winters $25

Charles & Janet Murray $100

Janice & Joann Brownlee $50

Lynda Wiatrowski, in memory of husband Don $25

Maxine Wilson $25

Charlie & Joan Hockenberry $30

Joe & Elaine Stopka $50

Gist Wylie $30

Joan Stewart, in memory of husband Bob Stewart $100

Donald Brookman $50

Elmer & Judy Ealy $25

Cushma Family, in memory of Frances Cushma $20

Don & Joyce Foringer $25

Daniel & Carol Anderson $30

Trinity North Elementary $614

Mark Macugoski $30

Washington Elks Lodge 0776 $500

St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church $250

Kang’s Black Belt Academy $2,400

Glen Martin $50

The Italian Independent Women $200

Holly & Keith Work $115

Bill & Joyce Koeppelle, in memory of Darla Koeppelle $25

Employees of Customer Contact $31

The Short Street Market $300

George Moore, in thanksgiving for Megan & Luke $50

Anonymous $100

Anonymous $100

Anonymous $150

Anonymous $250

Anonymous $250

Anonymous $250

Anonymous $250

Anonymous $200

Anonymous $50

Anonymous $25

Anonymous $100

Anonymous $20

Anonymous $25

Anonymous, in loving memory of Keith A. Campbell $25

Anonymous, in memory of Byron Smialek $25

Anonymous, in memory of Byron Smialek $50

Donna Jane Farabee, in memory of Carol Backner $50

Donna Jane Farabee In memory of Linda Wachter $50

Donna Jane Farabee, in memory of Jane and Harry Farabee $50

Range Resources employee drive and employee match

Chuck Moyer $250

Paul Deakin $20

Dawn Haywood $75

Susan Pinkerton $90

Lauren Popko $150

Kathy Borrelli $50

Shana Wilson $15

Amy Walman $20

Mark Wayner $30

Andrea Duran $10

Ronald Franks $30

Range Resources employee match $855

Don Robinson $150

Yvonne Plute $25

Jonna Ference $15

Heather Rush 30

Ryan Healy 100

Tom Lopus $150

Range Resources Street Collection:

Katherine B. Emery $100

Michael and Margaret Ross $50

Bruce and Kathy Bernard $50

The Train Gang of Wash. Co. $500

Washington Co. Young Marines $300

Donald and Joyce Bailey $100

Charles and Beth Ann Moyar $100

Private James Perry VFW Post 191 Trust $500

Liberty Lumber $2000

Guardian OFS $200

AGPA $1,895

South Main Style $100

J&D Cellars $200

William and Charlene Treece $25

William and Rosemary Tarr $25

Barbara Gibbs $100

Washington Flyers Club $10

Phil and Janis Armstrong $50

Margaret Ball $25

Otis Spicer $25

John and Tara Straka $50

Oil and Gas Safety Supply $500

Nancy Joan Verderber $15

Cary D. Jones $25

D. E. Wolbert $20

Nancy Blakeway $55

William and Sandra Shadel $25

John and Jamie Michalka $40

Mary and Henry Ward $50

Linda Carrozza and Jennifer Schumacher $60

Richard and Sonia Blaha $50

B Graphics $200

Guy and Kathy Marsteller $200

Jason and Lindsy Kollar $250

Kevin and Erin Huff $75

Jeffrey and Lisa Marie McCracken $50

Cynthia Reedy $25

Billie Jo, Butch and Julie, in memory of our Dad, Duane White $60

Julie, in loving memory of my husband, Mike Byrne $20

Phoenix Welding of PA, Inc. $50