2000 Turkeys seeking donations as Thanksgiving nears
The air has a chill, the leaves are turning, and Thanksgiving is just five weeks away.
The 2000 Turkeys campaign is about to crest the $50,000 mark, but more is needed. The goal is to raise more than $150,000 to give a Thanksgiving dinner to more than 21,000 people in Washington County who need a helping hand.
Canonsburg Mayor and 2000 Turkeys board Chairman Dave Rhome believes the residents and businesses of Washington County will reach that goal.
The urgency is there, according to the mayor.
“We need to talk to corporations. We need people to come forward and help us feed well over 22,000 people here in Washington County for Thanksgiving. And the only way we can do that is with the help of Washington residents, and in my years of involvement, which is nearing 25, we know that the people will step up.”
For more than 40 years, through the generosity of area individuals, corporations, businesses and organizations, 2000 Turkeys has brought the community together to help their neighbors in need at Thanksgiving.
Corporations, organizations or individuals who would like to make a presentation on air any Thursday before Thanksgiving can contact WJPA’s Promotions Director Jacob Knizner to schedule.
The campaign kicked off in high gear on Oct. 1 on air with a $2,000 check presentation from Dave Richards with the Blue Knights Motorcycle Club, Chapter 16 and Washington Lodge No. 164 Free and Accepted Masons.
Board members for 2000 Turkeys talk on air weekly.
“Around 8:35 a.m. is when we go on and have our conversation about what’s happened throughout the week. That’s when we invite those folks that are presenting checks or would like to come in and talk about why they are working with 2000 Turkeys,” said Knizner.
WJPA and the Observer-Reporter have been part of the 2000 Turkeys effort since its inception.
Donations can be addressed to 2000 Turkeys, P.O. Box 2000, Washington, Pa., 15301. Online donations can be made on Zeffy with the QR code published with this story.
All donations help the Greater Washington County Food Bank/Food Helpers and City Mission Boxes of Love to provide Thanksgiving dinners to area families.
Thank you to the following for their generous donations:
Kent & Sherry Knight – $100
Rich & Mary Jo Podgurski – $500
Jack Merckle – $50
Bob & Marie Ewing – $75
Chris & Rosalyn – $100
Charles Crouse & Sharon Russell – $100
Jane & Kimberly Porter – $500
Dano & Joanie Brownlee – $150
Frank & Darlene Tragone – $40
David Williams, in Memory of Carolyn Williams – $200
Jay & Amy West – $100
Earl & Jane Phillis – $50
Nancy Hunter – $1000
United Mine Workers of America Local No. 1197 – $200
Mary Lounder – $100
Craig & Susan McDaniel – $100
Carol Stein, in Memory of George Stein – $50
Susan Yeager – $50
Barbara Dewitt – $25
Francis & Toni King – $50
Debra Huggins – $50
Joan Stewart, in Memory of Bob Stewart – $100
Martha V. Paul Chapter No. 404 – $100
Audia Group LLC – $500
John Steggles $25
John & Penny Steggles – $50
Emilie Poplarchik – $50
Gene & Cynthia Beattie – $100
Drew & Arlene Danver – $250
William & Donna Oberman – $100
Mark & Joyce Knestrick – $50
Raymond & Ellen Mazzoni – $25
Theresa Bell, in Memory of John Bell – $100
In Memory of Tom & Margy O’Leary – $50
Carolyn Shady, in Memory of Tom Shady – $30
Russ & Ro Orenchuk – $100
William Daniels – $50
William & Deborah Murdock – $150
Roy Zoog – $300
Christopher & Lydia Hafenbrack – $50
Mark & Susan Nickler – $100
Kenneth & Catherine Shingle – $50
Jon & Carol Adler – $100
Deborah Farabee, in Memory of Harry, Jane, Donna, and Doug Farabee – $50
Ronald & Sherri Van Horne – $50
Gary & Amy Bostich – $100
In Memory of Dottie Fahrner & John Deco Jr. – $500
Mary Spina, in Memory of Frank & Jeremy Spina – $200
Barbara Provenzano – $50
Richard & Margaret White – $100
Heidi Pankopf – $100
Bob & Donna Dalnoky – $50
Deborah Rugg, in Memory of Aaron & Daniel Rugg Sr. – $50
Frances Rugg – $50
Don & Marie Kunselman – $50
David & Charlotte Resek – $25
James & Carol Earliwine – $40
In Memory of Byron Smialak – $50
John & Marian Wagner – $100
Mary Lemonovich, in Memory of John & Martha Mayton – $50
Charles White, in Memory of Raymond & Mary Kifer – $100
Patricia Eglar – $100
Donna Winnett – $100
Douglas & Donna Kotar – $50
Robert Garrity – $50
Darlene Uselton – $30
Conrad & Gerrie Rossetti, in Memory of Karen Rossetti – $50
Charles & Ethel Cummins – $50
Linda Wherry in Memory of Madolyn Horency – $50
Dorothy Vega – $20
Darryl Bourguignon – $50
Brian & Della Hritsko – $50
Lagonda Homemakers – $50
Lee & Patricia Kunkle – $25
Bill & Linda Wolfe – $35
Linda Kacvinsky, in Memory of Katy Kacvinsky – $50
Phyllis Matheny – $25
John & Lauretta Darby – $100
Leonard & Eileen Laabs – $200