Nov 16, 2018 5 min read

Thanks to the generosity of Washington Countians who turned out for the fourth annual 2000 Turkeys Food Drive held by Range Resources Friday and mailed in hundreds of donations, struggling families will be able to sit around the table and enjoy Thanksgiving dinner Thursday.

2000 Turkeys is a grassroots campaign that raises money to help Greater Washington County Food Bank provide Thanksgiving and holiday dinners for Washington County families in need.

Range employees – 85 of them, bundled up but smiling in the near-freezing weather – collected more than $21,211 from drivers and passers-by from street corners throughout downtown Washington and in front of the Main Street Farmers Market Pavilion.

In addition, Range matched donations up to $20,000.

Washington County residents, businesses and organizations also donated more than two tons of non-perishable food.

Students from Western Area Career and Technology Center collected a whopping 1,615 pounds of food, led by the Health Assist class, which brought in 752 pounds.

“Once again, we were amazed by the outpouring of support and generosity from the Washington County community,” said Laural Ziemba, a spokesperson for Range and a member of the 2000 Turkeys board. “So many people braved the cold to help those in need and we are so thankful to play a small role in helping those in need this holiday season.”

WJPA Radio broadcast the food drive throughout the day.

With five days remaining until Thanksgiving, 2000 Turkeys has raised $85,665, closing in on its goal of $100,000 to make sure food-insecure residents, including children and senior citizens, can celebrate the holidays. Each $15 donation feeds a family of four.

“Washington County’s 2000 Turkeys campaign inspires generosity, unifying a philanthropic community,” said Connie Burd, executive director of GWCFB. “And once again, those who have been abundantly blessed give back a portion of their plenty to those in need. We call that Thanksgiving.”

On behalf of the families in need, 2000 Turkeys thanks every person who has donated to the campaign, and wish you a happy, healthy Thanksgiving.

If you’d like to donate, please send a check payable to 2000 Turkeys to 2000 Turkeys, P.O. Box 2000, Washington, PA, 15301.

2,000 turkeys donors

John & Diana Blicha in memory of our parents $50

The Beatty family in loving memory of Howard “Butch” Beatty $50

Patricia Orvin in memory of Ms. Dee Hein $20

anonymous $30

Joyce and Janine Skirchak in loving memory of our parents Nick and Josephine Y. Skirchak $300

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

anonymous $20

anonymous $25

Nick, Sydney, Jon and Nikki Galbraith in memory of Don Clendaniel $100

Paula Clark in memory of Adam Clark $25

Dr. and Mrs. Jay Helsel $50

Beverly Campbell in memory of Dick Campbell $50

Joe and Elaine Stopka $50

Caroline Moore and Katherine Leech in memory of Pappy Mort $25

Conrad and Gerrie Rossetti in memory of our daughter Karen Rossetti $50

Robert and Joanne Coyle in memory of Karen Snider $100

Jackie and Dave Hammond in memory of Todd Hammond $25

anonymous $50

Jack McCabe in memory of Sandra McCabe $40

anonymous $25

David and Debra Elias $50

Mary Urbancic in memory of John Urbancic family $30

Ladies of Charity Immaculate Conception Church $100

W & M Rhoades $25

Richard and Margaret Irey $100

George Reynolds $50

Mark and Donna McVehil $25

Julia Patterson $25

Ferne Rogers $100

Kathleen Voigt $25

Bob and Shirley Donaldson $50

Mary and David Standiford $100

Diane Drazick $25

Deborah Lynne Testa in memory of Joseph Testa Jr. $25

Edward and C. Beverly McVeigh $20

Bernard and Barbara Desmond $25

Raymond Ruffalo Jr. and Linda Ruffalo $50

Mark and Donna Kirschner $30

Jean and Richard Cholak $25

Carol Coffield $30

A.M. and P.C. Soulakis $20

David and Nancy Rostcheck $50

William and Deborah Murdock $100

Joseph Tomecsko Jr. and Christina Tomecsko $20

Robert C. Evans Jr. D.D.S. $50

Charles and Deborah Sethman $25

Douglas and Ann Hewitt $50

Harold and Cora Narigon $50

Heidi Pankopf $50

James and Nancy Wright $50

William and Donna Frantz $25

Robert and Diana Iams $25

Bev and Fred Kaste $30

George and Carol Stein $35

Thomas and Patricia Manko $25

Daniel and Carol Anderson $30

All Saints Greek Orthodox Church Philoptochos Society $200

Joann Fullerton and Jeffrey Bozik $25

Scott Piasente $75

Lydia Lockhart $30

Patricia and Richard Kubacki Sr. $50

Laura and Vic Perri $50

Chartiers Township Police Wage & Policy Unit $200

Donald Brookman $50

Rose Marie Kobrys $30

Irene Hodgson $20

Joseph and Laverne Mals $35

Davids Ltd. $100

Frank and Jan Hixenbaugh $50

Washington-Greene Counties Chapter Penn State Alumni Association $50

Robert and Betty Hodgens $50

Harry and Nancy Moore $30

Liberty United Methodist Church $100

Brandon and Jackie Marshall $15

Thomas and Monica Rendine $25

Sandra Lee Wallace $500

Mark and Caroline Hall $30

Robert and Patricia Crall $25

Dave and Marcia Bock in honor of Bob and Chris Lindsay 50th anniversary $50

John and Linda Fetchen $30

Dan and Barb Wheatcroft $25

Robert and Shelby Ann Harvey in memory of James E. White $25

Paul and Marie Taylor $25

Terry and Karol Snead $30

Karen and Bob Thompson $25

Ethel Cummins in memory of loved ones $25

Mary Jane Kolesar $50

William Douglas Canan $15

Rich and Kathy Setto $30

Robert Mary and Susan Crumrine $25

John and Mary Ellen West $25

Charlie and Bonnie Hines $25

Stanley and Susan Michalski in memory of our daughter Karen $25

Debra Huggins $25

Kathryn Rash $25

Harry and Mary Haas $25

Mary Lou Campbell and Mildred Caldwell $20

Canonsburg-Houston Ministerial Association $100

Gary and Anne Waters $20

Nina Gysegem $100

Don and Marie Kunselman $30

Strnisha Excavation Inc. $1,000

Paul and Joy Cheslock $25

John Daley $50

William and Susan Peffer $25

Bernard and Sharon Halpin $50

Phil and Sarah Schafer $20

Louise Skiviat $20

Hunter Rubis $25

Michael and Sylvia Burke $1,000

Ruth McCurry $20

Amelia Pomfret and Debra Louise Donaldson $25

Madeline and John Chopp $25

Ronald and Linda Luisi $20

Dennis Thomas $50

Fraternal Order of Bears 83 Gaming Fund $300

Janet Kandrick $50

James and Judith Femia $25

Isimingers Automotive Service Center $100

Isimingers Pennzoil Inc. $100

Lagonda Homemakers $50

Mrs. Kimberly Paletta $25

Donna DiNardo $50

Larry and Karen Headley $50

anonymous $25

Joseph and Carolyn Rendziak $25

Joanne Reck $50

The Train Gang of Washington County Pa. $250

anonymous $25

Gary and Colleen Craig $20

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

Ruth and Hannah O’Bosky in memory of James E. O’Bosky(pap-pap) and George B. Kline (pap-pap-pap) $15

Richard and June McKitrick in memory of our beloved brother Bernard E. Gareis (Buddy Sharpe) $40