2000 Turkeys kicks off

Take a quick peek at the calendar, and you’ll notice Thanksgiving is about six weeks away.
And this year’s 2000 Turkeys campaign is underway.
The goal of 2000 Turkeys remains the same as when it began nearly 35 years ago: to provide Washington County families in need with a Thanksgiving dinner.
2000 Turkeys is a grass roots effort supported by local businesses, organizations and individuals whose donations put a turkey dinner on the table of families being served each month by the Greater Washington County Food Bank.
About 5,500 food-insecure families – an estimated 25,000 people – turn to the food bank each month; during the holiday season, the need increases to approximately 7,000 families, said Connie Burd, executive director of the food bank.
More than 50 percent of those who receive help from the food bank are children and senior citizens.
The 2000 Turkeys campaign is the largest fundraiser for the food bank.
Co-sponsored by the Observer-Reporter and WJPA Radio, 2000 Turkeys has been around since the early 1980s, when it was launched to help feed the underemployed and unemployed during the holiday.
Washington County residents, businesses and organizations, who have been so generous over the years, have already started to make contributions.
2000 Turkeys aims to raise $100,000, and much work must be done between now and Nov. 23 to reach that goal.
You can help. If you’re getting together with family or friends to watch the Steelers, why not ask them to pitch in a couple of bucks for 2000 Turkeys when they arrive with their chips and salsa? Or, hold a casual dress day at work, and have everyone throw in a dollar or two for 2000 Turkeys.
All donations, which have ranged from penny jars to checks for thousands of dollars, are appreciated.
“We like that our donation stays here in the community and helps people in need in our area,” said Dave Richards, ride chairman for the annual Blue Ride, a joint effort of the Blue Knights Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club Chapter 16 and Washington Lodge 164 Free and Accepted Masons, which donated $2,000.
Every penny from the 2000 Turkeys campaign goes toward making sure we have enough dinners for families in need.
Please consider making a donation during this holiday season.
To make a donation, send a check to 2000 Turkeys, P.O. Box 2000, Washington, PA 15301.