2000 Turkeys raises more than $205,000
The 2000 Turkeys campaign has ended, and wow, Washington County. We can’t thank you enough for donating to this year’s turkey fund.
Your support helped Washington County families in need celebrate Thanksgiving with their loved ones.
Thanks to your donations, 2000 Turkeys raised $205,140, surpassing its goal.
The money raised from 2000 Turkeys has provided Thanksgiving dinners to Washington County families struggling with food insecurity for 40 years. We partner with the Greater Washington County Food Bank & Food Helpers, Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, and City Mission to make sure nobody goes without a meal during the holiday.
“In Washington County, more than 24,000 neighbors face hunger, including 1 in 7 children. We know families are struggling to put the basics on the table, making an added holiday meal almost impossible to afford in these trying times. The community’s support for 2000 Turkeys is not only unwavering, but deeply meaningful,” said Jennifer Zgurich, Director of Corporate and Community Giving for the Pittsburgh food bank. “This initiative took away the financial stress of a meal and allowed thousands of families to simply enjoy time with each other around the dinner table this Thanksgiving.”
2000 Turkeys, co-sponsored by the Washington Observer-Reporter and WJPA Radio, couldn’t have done it without all of the individuals, corporations and organizations that sent in donations, small and large, to help give their neighbors a hand up. We are amazed and thankful every year for the generosity and the goodwill of our Washington County community, and the cheerfulness and joy that you bring to the 2000 turkeys campaign. It embodies the spirit of the holiday season.
“Food Helpers and the Greater Washington County Food Bank appreciates the generosity of the Washington County community – both citizens and companies, who supported the efforts of the 2000 Turkeys Committee in 2024 to provide a Thanksgiving meal to those in need,” said George Omiros, President and CEO of Food Helpers, noting the organization distributed nearly 1,700 turkeys and meal fixings to its clients in November. “We are indeed grateful for the communities’ generosity and level of support.”
And we’re surprised at how 2000 Turkeys has gained momentum each year, and how hundreds and hundreds of you mail in your donations every year. More recently, a growing number of students in Washington County have gotten on board, including students who participate in the annual Range Resources 2000 Turkeys Drive in downtown Canonsburg and Washington
“It’s been a thrill to watch this campaign evolve over the years, but what brings me the most joy is seeing the multitude of students who are jumping on board to raise money for their friends and neighbors,” said 2000 Turkeys committee member Laurel Ziemba of Range Resources. “To know that this grassroots fundraiser may spark a lifetime of service is very meaningful to Range and a benefit to the community.”
We also want to thank AccountMaster Inc. of Washington for generously donating their time to provide bookkeeping services for 2000 Turkeys, and the city of Washington’s Citywide Development Corp. for their guidance.
“When you gathered around the Thanksgiving table this year with your family on Thanksgiving Day, I hope you know that your donations made it possible for other families to have a Thanksgiving meal, too,” said Dave Rhome, a member of the 2000 Turkeys committee.
We thank everyone for helping to make this campaign a success, and for bringing joy to others this holiday season. The 2000 Turkeys committee – Dave Rhome, Pete Povich, Laurel Ziemba and Karen Mansfield – wish you all a happy and safe holiday season.
Thank you to the following for your generous donations:
Danielle Kowcheck, in memory of my parents and brothers, $25
Robert and Judith Safko, $50
James and Lisa Johnson, $200
Donna Dinardo, $50
Roger and Diane Ecker, $25
Bryan and Sue Pizzi, in memory of Dr. and Mrs. Wilson R. Pizzi and Kenneth Keirs and Betty Brownlee, $100
Fraternal Order of Bears 83, $300
C. Ross, $75
Jeffrey and Susan Raineri, $50
Nick and Linda Ciappa, in memory of Robert Garrett, $50
Karen Paletta, $50
Robert Wicker III and Karen Wicker, $100
Jacqueline Scarsborough, $100
Joseph and Cindy Franc, $200
Susan M. Crumrine, $25
Donald and Beverly Zofchak, $30
Deborah Mrock, $10
Joseph and Carolyn Rendziak, $50
Keith and Denise Rosmus, in memory of Andrew Gil Sr. and Mark Kuchera, and Edward and Betty Rosmus, $50
Mr. and Mrs. Rich Delprato, $20
Thomas and Laurie Ann Trettel, $50
84 Self Storage, $100
Linda and Robert Kelley, $20
David Bean, $100
Tony Nicolella, $100
Dee’s Record and Video Shop/Cricket Wireless stores, $1,050
Sam’s Pizza Shop, from the Rhome and Passante family, in memory of Howard and Shirley Rhome and Howard and Ann Simpson, $1,000
Ellen Curran, in memory of my parents, Tom and Margy O’Leary, $50
Janet Carey, $20
The Troianos, $50
Douglas and Cathy Silbaugh, $100
Carol and Jon Adler, $50
Andrew and Megan Vance, $40
Brian and Darline Rumbaugh, $75
Arthur Jeffers, $25
Mario and Joanne Mancinelli, $20
Emory R. Elliott Jr., $50
Beverly Marchewka in memory of family (Dad, Mom, Brian, Bill, Rich) $30
Rebecca Hall, $50
Jill and Robert Thurston, $25
Daughters of Penelope Canonsburg Chapter, $50
Geraldine Hensel and Michael Barnhart, in memory of Marlene Hatfield, $120
Margaret Fischer, in fond memory of Byron Smialek, $25