Dec 6, 2013 6 min read

For the thousands of individuals, businesses and organizations who donated to the 2000 Turkeys campaign, give yourselves a hand.

Because that’s what you did: extended a helping hand to Washington County families in need who might not otherwise have been able to enjoy a Thanksgiving Day dinner.

The 2013 fund drive raised $136,160 that enabled the Greater Washington County Food Bank to provide a Thanksgiving dinner, including a turkey and all of the trimmings, to more than 5,000 local families.

Lisa Nuccetelli, director of the food bank, was overwhelmed by the community’s efforts to make sure their neighbors – more than 20,000 of them – celebrated the holiday.

“Washington County just amazes me, the way they step up every time we need it,” said Nuccetelli. “They step up and fulfill what we need. This year, with the loss of (2000 Turkeys founder) Byron Smialek, it just seemed more special.”

The 2000 Turkey Board, which includes WJPA Radio disc jockey Pete Povich, Matt Pitzarella of Range Resources, Canonsburg Mayor David Rhome, state Sen. Tim Solobay, original board member Grace Hopwood and Observer-Reporter staff writer Karen Mansfield, launched the campaign in October, and over a six-week period, dozens of local schools, families, businesses and groups pitched in with donations ranging from $30 in quarters, dimes and pennies to large contributions including $10,000 from the Meadows Racetrack & Casino and $25,000 from Range Resources and affiliated gas industry companies.

The 2000 Turkeys campaign, which began 30 years ago as a food drive for the unemployed, has grown into an annual tradition. Every $15 raised provides a Thanksgiving dinner for a family of four.

Nuccetelli said the need was greater this year because many families lost as much as $68 from their monthly food stamp allotment (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program).

“The blessing of 2000 Turkeys is that not only can we give families their portion of food for the month, but we also are able to give them something extra, on top of what they normally get, to celebrate Thanksgiving. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be able to have a Thanksgiving dinner,” said Nuccetelli.

Solobay said he was amazed at the number of children who donated to 2000 Turkeys, bringing in jars filled with change to help the less fortunate.

“We’re so grateful and thankful to the people throughout Washington County who were responsible for donating the $136,000 to 2000 Turkeys and helped us to achieve our goal,” said Rhome.

“Sometimes, people are just down on their luck and here’s an opportunity for those of us who are blessed to give back and help them have a beautiful Thanksgiving, just like we had. Everyone came through so graciously.”

Thank you to the following, who generously donated to the 2000 Turkeys campaign:

Mary Jo Stonfer Fedutes $25

Paul Galati $25

In Memory of Ken & Louise Robinson & Jean Bedillion by Robert & Donna Bedillion $300

In Memory of Carl Armstrong & Fred Armstrong from Chris Armstrong, Sandra Ramsey, Kathy Armstrong & Rick Armstrong $40

In Memory of Joseph Testa, Jr. by Deborah & Joseph Testa $25

Patricia & A.M.Soulakis $20

Tom & Peggy Northrop $100+

Lea Ann Zgorliski $10

The Rege and Marti Passante and David and Kimberly Rhome families $1,000

Albert & Roberta Jackson $25

Deborah & David Humphreys Jr. $20

Trinity North Elementary Students, staff, & very generous anonymous donor $2,003.49

Paul & Shelley Songer $175

Activities Committee of Enrichment at SCI-Greene Deptartment of Corrections $600

Gabriel & Anita Prince $25

Altabella & John Severine $25

Darla Rhome $20

Rick & Kelly Reginelli $30

Ed Krepps & Annette Chop $50

In memory of son Andy Lutes by Patricia Lutes $50

In memory of Byron Smialek by Suzanne & Eric Kline $50

In memory of my oldest brother from Claysville, Earl Schmoutz by Bill & Joanne Schmoutz $50

Ronald & Barbara Cianelli $50

William & Freeda Domick $40

William Schenck $50

Bertha & Louis Kovacicek $25

Kang’s Black Belt Academy, E. Jeffrey Jox $2,388

Patricia & Lee Kunkle $20

In memory of Teeria Walker and Florence V. Moton from Dorothy & Ruth Smith $20

August & Ada Rose Ralston $29.90

Jim & Sue O’Bryon $25

Karen & David Galentine $100

Joe & Elaine Stopka $30

Alanna Carroll $20

In Memory of Joseph Brova from wife Dorothy & family $30

Walter Maslik $25

Ronald & Geraldine Diaz $100

Jake & Nancy Lebec $25

E. Jean Henderson $20

Joseph & Linda Goblesky $30

In Memory of my husband William C. Marchewka from Beverly Marchewka $20

Herman & Rose Marie Bell $50

Cindy & William Kottner $100

The Recorder of Deeds Office $41

Michelle & David White $25

Kenny & Kelly Isiminger $25

Wendy & Paul Fudurich $10

Timothy & Robin Matyas $25

Lawrence & Kathleen Welsh $100

In Thanksgiving for my children by Carolyn Holmes $25

DRH Auto Detailing Derek & Ronald Humphreys $20

Liberty Lumber $2,000

W C Dinsmore Trucking $100

Nancy Britt $20

Duritza’s Enterprises Canonsburg Shop N Save $5,060

Pennie & Ronald Foil $25

United Labor Committee of Wash. Co. Activity Fund $100

Private James Perry VFW Post 191, Canonsburg $500

Friends of Brandon P Neuman $500

Hog Fathers Old Fashion BBQ, LLC $3,856

Lakeview Christian Life Church $750

Ray & Dolores Jennings $50

In memory of our beloved brother Bernard Gareis aka Buddy Sharpe from Richard & June McKitrick $30

Jeffrey & Cynthia Derrico $30

Lena Potts $50

Debra & James Rhone $50

Bill DiFabio’s Sports Call $50

Donald & Joyce Bailey $100

Wash. Co. Young Marines $200

In memory of Linda McCracken from Mt. Calvary Ev. Lutheran Church $582.20

Belcher & Hands family $40

Anonymous $1,000

Leonard & Linda Magera $25

In memory of Byron Smialek from Judy Barnhill $25

Bruce & Lori Wald $50

Carl & Bonnie Zellie $100

Donna & Mark McVehil $25

In memory of my husband, Frank Organiscak Sr. from Violet Organiscak $20

Arne & Esther Sten $25

Fawcett United Methodist Church, Elizabeth Hartman Circle $100

Kenneth & Linda Flood $40

Martha Macha from John & Donna Taylor $50

John & Toni Corsie $25

William & M. Victoria Shipley $25

Jim & Civil Knox $30

Francis & Louise Horne $30

Glen & Sally Martin $50

Employees from Kade Health & Rehab. $200

Employees of Wash. Co. Behavioral Health & Developmental Services $100

Imperial Cleaners $143.30

Anonymous $246.85

Diane Bianchin $25

Canonsburg AHEPA Chapter 156 $100

Team Intrepid at North Strabane Intermediate School, sixth graders $25

In memory of Byron Smialek from Helen Kirkpatrick & Margaret Fischer $50

Bruce & Cheryl Carson $25

Knights of Columbus Wash. Council 1083 $50

Mario & Joanne Mancinelli $20

Rosemary & Eric Stackowicz $25

Joyce Spridik $50

Ravi Chidambaran and Santhy Ravi $50

White Eagles $310

In memory of Byron Smialek from the Jeff Derrico family $100