Hog Father’s to hold pumpkin contest
The giant pumpkins that sit in front of Hog Father’s BBQ in Canonsburg and Washington are turning some heads.
Unlike their smaller, lighter counterparts that decorate front porches, these heavyweight gourds have a mission: whoever guesses the weight wins a $50 gift certificate to the restaurant (there will be one winner at each store).
2000 Turkeys wins, too.
Hog Father’s is donating all of the proceeds from the contest to 2000 Turkeys, which provides Thanksgiving dinners for unemployed or underemployed Washington County residents who might not otherwise be able to enjoy a holiday meal.
The entry fee is $1 per guess.
Hog Father’s owner Frank Puskarich has held the pumpkin fundraiser for several years, and it’s the second year that 2000 Turkeys has been the recipient of the proceeds.
It’s the contributions of local businesses like Hog Fathers, along with individuals and organizations, that are the driving force of the 2000 Turkeys campaign.
So far this year, the campaign has raised $50,930 and is half way to its goal of raising $100,000 to provide a holiday meal for more than 5,0000 families – about 20,000 people – who meet the eligibility requirements established by the Greater Washington County Food Bank. Every $15 donation helps provide a turkey and fixings for a family of four.
On WJPA Radio on Friday, 2000 Turkey board members Pete Povich, Matt Pitzarella, David Rhome and Sen. Tim Solobay thanked the hundreds of individuals and groups who have pitched in throughout the campaign – and have thought up some creative ways to raise money.
2000 Turkeys cans and jars are at stores and businesses throughout the county for people who want to donate, and turkey placards are available at Shop ‘n Save stores in Canonsburg and Washington for a $1 donation.
Last year’s pumpkins, provided by Range Resources employee Matt Werner, weighed in at – let’s just say a lot. After all, we don’t want to give away any clues.
To make a donation, please make checks payable to 2000 Turkeys, P.O. Box 2000, Washington, PA 15301. Donations are tax-deductible.
Thank you to the following, who generously donated to 2000 Turkeys:
The Meadows Racetrack & Casino $10,000
In Memory of Jeremy Spina from Frank & Mary Jo Spina $100
Washington Lions Club $500
In Memory of Ed Black from Dora Black $30
Lower Ten Mile Presbyterian Church $200
Daniel & Janice Rowsick $50
William & Joyce Ursic $100
Barbara Provenzano $50
H. Edward & Ruth Vero $50
In Memory of George W McAnallen from Peg & Tim Curran $100
In Memory of Bill Lacey from Deloris Lacey $25
Merle Strope $10
In Memory of son-in-law Scott Lash from Roy & Judy Schulte $50
James & Nancy Wright $50
Clyde Wilkinson $30
Judith Buckingham $50
Lori & Gregory Kern $50
John & Linda Fetchen $25
I.C. Church-Ladies of Charity $300
In Memory of Debbie Ford from Howard & Shirley Carl $25
Jill & Kurt Spear $50
William & Rebecca Hixenbaugh $25
Janet Donovan $10
Ronald & Carol Bayer $30
Roberta Mong $20
Robert & Betty Hodgens $25
Jackson Hutchinson $50
Gavin & Serena Durkin $50
In Memory of Libby Durish from Doris & William Lutz $25
Selma Tansey $100
Sharon & Robert Aloia $25
Donald & Kathryn Rash $40
Patricia & Thomas Manko $25
Alvin & Mary Lou Briggs $50
Walter Lekwart $25
In Memory of Bo & Lee from Patty Brewer $25
Barbara & David Castora $20
In Memory of Rusty & Louise Hay from grandkids $20
In Memory of Butch & Leslie Yanavich, anonymous $20
In Memory of Vicki Jane Romaine Marker from nieces & nephews $20
David & Darlene Stotka $75
Sandra & David Thomas $25
Roberta & Gerald Walker $25
Patricia Brletic $50
Phyllis & Ted Dutton $25
Jim & Rosalie Selway $20
Bill & Cookie Kazakewicz $30
Freeda Greer $20
Jamie & Calvin Torboli $50
David & Nancy Rubis $100
Bob & Vi Azman $25
Rita & Joseph Bongiorni $25
Thomas & Michelle Day $100
Linn & Becky Brookman $40
John J. Stanko $25
Judith & Bob Safko $25
William & Nancy Merkle $25
In Memory of Dom (Pap) Sacco from John, Jay, Milana & Jack Sacco $30
Bob & Dani Iams $25
Debbie Akers $20
Alice Livingston $20
Cheryl & Paul Skiviat $50
Martha Beard $50
In Memory of Anthony F. Brach from Janet W. Brach $25
In Memory of James E. White from Shelby & Robert Harvey $25
Harry & Barbara DeWitt $20
Albert Rush $20
In Memory of Phyllis Morgan from Patrick Morgan $200
Dominick & Donna Trimarki $50
Janice & Frank Hixenbaugh $25
In Memory of Tommy Arena from Johnny & Cathy Hoy $50
Andrew & Jaclyn Mitrik $20
Allan & Thelma Zimmerman $50
Dolores Bednarski $100
In Memory of Jean Schirosky from “Bub” & Julie Schirosky $20
In Memory of Genieve Polly from John & Julianna Schirosky $20
Joseph & Laverne Mals $30
Cathleen & Richard Allinder $30
Mary Bier $50
Eugene & Linda Dashofy $15
Jean & Thomas Wilt $25
Dr. Franklin Kuzy & Dr. Karen Kuzy $50
Margaret E. Frazier $20
Margaret Rankin $25
Harry & Mary Haas $25
Kimberly Paletta & Larry Sibert $25
Michele Timko $30
Linda Hainer $15
George Haddad $150
Richard & Barbara Ginther $50
In Memory of Mikel from Robert Rudy $50
Allan & Nancy Brooks $30
Robert & Linda Mickle $20
Pauline & George Manko $25
Ruth Fullerton $20
Bill & Betty Braun $25
Donna Henderson $30
In Memory of Byron Smialek from Cindy Brookman $25
Karl & Charlotte Evans $50
Betty Falvo $25
Mark & Sandra Bonanni $20
Evano & Cecilia Lenzi $25
Lee & Billie Robinson $50
Peter & Denise Coppola $25
Philip & Jennie Hamilton $100
Nancy Hunter $30
Ed & Gena Roman $100
Betty & William Doak $25
Lee Mason $50
Larry & Barb Stultz $50
Vivian & Gregory Prentice $25
Bev & Fred Kaste $30
Mildred Carter $50
First Baptist Church of Burgettstown $100
Debra Wilkes $20
Patrick & Debre Pitzarella $25
Adam & Skeeter $25
Betty & William Osburn $25
Daniel & Katherine Bayer $25
Ferne Rogers $50
In Loving Memory of Dorothy Samila from Steve & Kathy Samila $25
In Loving Memory of Howdy Naser & Anne S. & Andrew J. Carrozza from Andrew & Debra Carrozza $25
In Memory of Paul Barnes from Pat Barnes $50
Agnes Belfiore $20
John & Kathy Egers $30
Mark & Ellen Sams $25
In Memory of my husband James McAdoo from Naomi McAdoo $20
The Morgan Family $25
Jean Stout $20
Fidelity Class of 1st Baptist Church, Washington $50
In Memory of William E. Frye from Harold & Cora Narigon $50
Dr. & Mrs. Jay D. Helsel $40
Ed & Mary Rizor $30
Charles & Elaine Croft $20
Carol & Dick Masquelier $50
In Loving Memory of Mary Post Bosare from Sam & Mary Post $50
Kal Flaskos $25
Sandra Todaro $25
Anonymous $275