Mission accomplished 2000 Turkeys campaign raises $211,000
Thanksgiving is tomorrow.
Families in Washington County will gather with loved ones and friends to pause, reflect, and give thanks.
And thanks to the generous donations of Washington County residents who donated to the 2000 Turkeys fund over the past several weeks, there is much to be grateful for.
With your help, 2000 Turkeys was able to raise at least $211,000, and in partnership with Food Helpers of Washington County, the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, and City Mission’s Boxes of Love, thousands of local families received a Thanksgiving dinner.
“What a great beginning to this festive holiday season,” said Dave Rhome, chairman of the 2000 Turkeys board. “We knew the need was great this year, and knowing that we could count on the generous donations of the people and corporations and say yes, we can feed more than 19,000 people and 750 families through Boxes of Love, was a good feeling.”
This year marked the 41st anniversary of 2000 Turkeys’ efforts to provide food for local families during the holiday season, and the fundraiser has grown into a Washington County tradition.
It’s humbling to see the community – individuals, businesses, organizations, churches, schools and more – step up to help their neighbors in need, 2000 Turkeys board members said.
“I just want to thank everyone in the Washington County community for showing up every year and being so generous,” said longtime 2000 Turkeys board member Laural Ziemba. So many groups and organizations stepped up because (2000 Turkeys) is meaningful to the community, and when you have that level of commitment, and all the pieces of the puzzle, how can you fail to reach your goal?”
This year, said George Omiros, president and CEO of Food Helpers, the need was as great as ever.
“2000 Turkeys has been phenomenal with funding to provide Thanksgiving meals,” said Omiros. “It’s been a challenging year. We’re experiencing an increase of 30% to 40% daily of people coming to distributions looking for food, and that’s difficult. We’re going into the December holiday season, and there are still people who haven’t received their (SNAP) benefits, prices are up, costs are up, and people are struggling to make sure there is food on the table and still pay bills and other expenses. It’s a difficult time, and we thank the public for supporting us.”
The Pittsburgh Food Bank expressed its gratitude for the impact the 2000 Turkeys drive has made, especially this year, noting “2000 Turkeys has truly showcased the power and care of our community through this year’s drive. This commitment to feeding those in need of food assistance comes at a critical time, when more and more neighbors lean on food resources for support following the government shutdown and lapse in SNAP benefits.”
2000 Turkeys is co-sponsored by WJPA Radio and the Washington Observer-Reporter.
Jacob Knizner, promotions director for WJPA, noted the hundreds and hundreds of donations that poured into the Washington Post Office for 2000 Turkeys throughout the campaign.
Several envelopes included notes of encouragement for a successful drive, Happy Thanksgiving wishes, and “in memory of” dedications from those who donated to 2000 Turkeys in memory of a loved one.
“The overall push by the community to reach our goal has been amazing,” said Knizner. “To see the letters to the P.O. box every week, and the people who dropped by the station to drop off envelopes and cash, it was overwhelming.”
Every donation – the small ones to the largest one – mattered. Every contribution counted. And the 2000 Turkeys board and the grateful recipients thank you. More corporate, group, and individual donations will be presented at WJPA today.
On behalf of 2000 Turkeys, we wish readers a happy and healthy Thanksgiving and Christmas season.
Thank you to the following for their generous donations:
Joseph Marinski Jr. – $50
Bethany Ludwin & Patricie & William Brooks in Memory of their parents – $25
Frank Lukich – $30
Roger & Peggy Dankowsky – $25
Bill & Darlenie – $100
Susan Michalski – $30
Jim & Lori Naser – $100
John Patten – $25
Corrine Spadaro – $100
Iva Jane Verner – $50
Washington Elks Lodge BPOE No. 0076 – $500
Lesa Guley – $100
Denise Folle – $50
Janice Bell – $50
Ken Rhodes – $2,000
AMVets Post 72347 – $100
Charles Crouse & Sharon Russell, in Memory of Lisa Caldwell Cessne – $100
Sandra McMurray – $100
Deborah Gasper – $30
Donald Bamberger – $25
Peter Overcashier – $50
Sandra Hampson – $25
Barbara Mayer – $250
Mary Ellen Brosick, in Memory of Nick – $30
Carol Linton Riddle – $100
Michael Brach, in Memory of Anthony & Janet Brach-$25
David Fisher – $50
Patricia Winters – $25
Bob & Cindy Griffin in Memory of Joan Griffin – $100
Joann Brownlee in Memory of Janice Brownlee – $50
Bill & Phyl Reynolds, in Memory of Marvin & Betty Reynolds – $25
Victoria Furmanek – $100
Bill & Phyl Reynolds in Memory of Angelo & Esther Porco – $50
Donald Clark – $25
Patricia Ann Mavrich – $100
William Backman – $10
Tom & Peggy Bashline – $75
Stacie Fetsko – $75
Kathleen Welsh – $100
Ann Dean & John Hart – $50
Don & Joan Zielinski – $25
Mark Harmon – $100
Frances Hudak, in Memory of Richard Hudak – $100
Martha Strosser – $20
Donna Dinardo – $50
Ralph & Dyane Troiano – $100
Leo & Adele Trich, in Memory of Richard Celani – $50
Rebecca Anderson – $100
United Methodist Church of Claysville – $100
Sharon Opal in Memory of Pat Tichi – $150
Victoria Knox, in Memory of husband Chuck Knox – $100
Independent Club of Muse – $200
Timothy Matyas – $25
Rosemary Habbestad in Memory of Chester & Mary Stopenski – $25
Joseph & Shirley Plymire, in Memory of their parents – $50
Linda Lustic-Fetcko – $25
Judith Caler – $25
Walter Lekwart – $100
Karen Ellis – $40
Ellen & Norman Delvecchio, in Memory of Roberta Sigfried & Sharon Ondrik – $100
Cas Korowicki ,in Memory of Jessie Korowicki – $40
Edward Krepps II – $50