Nov 22, 2013 7 min read

The 2000 Turkeys campaign is nearing the $100,000 mark, fueled by donations like the one from August and Ada Rose Ralston, two Washington Park Elementary school students who collected $29.90 in change, placed it in a peanut butter jar, and dropped it off at the WJPA Radio station Friday.

Their donation was among hundreds, including a $25,000 donation from Range Resources, that poured in this week for the campaign, which provides a Thanksgiving dinner for Washington County families in need.

For the past three years, August, 8, and Ada Rose, 5, whose parents are Christopher and Jennifer Ralston of Washington, have set aside a portion of their birthday and holiday money and spare change to contribute to the 2000 Turkeys fund. Jennifer said they got the idea when she was listening to WJPA during the 2000 Turkeys drive and explained to them the importance of helping out those who are less fortunate.

“August said, ‘Gosh, we should do that,’ and that’s how we got started,” said Jennifer.

And there are people who need a hand. David Rhome, Canonsburg mayor and a 2000 Turkeys board member, received a card from a woman who recently lost her job and whose husband lost his pension. Their income is too high to qualify for the food bank and food stamps, but after paying bills, there is no money left for a Thanksgiving dinner. So she reached out to the 2000 Turkeys board, which, with the help of the food bank, will provide her with a holiday dinner.

“We have people in dire need out there, who are down on their luck,” said Rhome.

Every $15 donation provides a Thanksgiving meal with all of the trimmings for a family of four. The 2000 Turkeys campaign is the largest single fundraiser on behalf of the Greater Washington County Food Bank and its neighboring pantries.

The food bank has established qualification guidelines for families who receive the Thanksgiving dinners. The goal is to raise at least $100,000 to feed the more than 20,000 people in Washington County – about 5,000 families – who are in need.

Hogfather’s owner Frank Puskarich presented a check for $3,856 from a guess-the-weight of the giant pumpkins contest held at the two restaurants, Mt. Cavalry Lutheran Church donated $582, Lakeview Christian Life Church raised $750, and the Washington County Young Marines pitched in $200.

To donate to the 2000 Turkeys campaign, please send checks, payable to “2000 Turkeys,” to 2000 Turkeys, P.O. Box 2000, Washington, PA 15301.

Thanks to the following, who generously donated to the 2000 Turkeys campaign during the week:

In Memory of Byron Smialek by Danny Isiminger & Carla Sauer $50

Judith & Phillip Litz $20

Bob & Joan Stewart $60

In Memory of Lois J. Beroasky from Velma & Wray Iddings $30

S.E. Schultz Electric, Inc. $200

Nicole, Stacy, Joe Rubis & Kyle Spinnaweber $25

The Copeland Family $15

In memory of Frank Oliverio by Bill & Susan Oliverio $20

In Memory of Charlotte Gault by Bill & Susan Oliverio $20

In Memory of Nancy Russell by Bill & Susan Oliverio $20

Skip & Linda DiSibio $25

Martha Barbarossa $25

Paul & Nancy Krepps $25

Loo & Ruth Vore $50

Ole Hickory Inn $35

Gary & Sharon Sladick $50

United Methodist Women Avery United Methodist Church $50

Edward & Deborah Boesenberg $50

Michael & Deanna Warco $25

Richard & Susie Irey $50

Sandra & Bill Shadel $25

In Memory of Dick & Jennifer Carr by Donna Carr $15

Joe & Patty Grohal $20

Gary & Susan Chernay $20

Tom & Carole Mucho $100

William & Elaine Johnson $30

Linda Carrozza $40

Donald & Nadene Gardner $50

Route 19 Bowling Center $50

Russell & Deborah Knight $100

Ricky & Jo Ann Kosarik $150

Caroline Ashbrook $25

Vincent & Cheryl Racioppi $10

James & Nancy Hazi $100

Pam & Irene Carl $25

Sandra Brown $25

Robert & Joyce Talbott $20

In Memory of Ron “Smitty” Smith from Al Sten’s Auto Service $100

Patricia Mancuso $15

Rose & Ed Almasy $25

In Memory of Dr. James Clements from Ken & Kathleen Alderson $25

Michael Pendleton $25

Fraternal Order of Bears No. 83 $93

Rachel & William Orrison $20

Susan & Harry Grubich $100

In memory of Nan – Your Kids $25

George & Carol Stein $35

Jean Melvin $20

Helen Mazza $30

In Memory of Peg Allen from Cindy Semack $20

Lois Navrotski $25

Avery Maldovan & Rose Kuchera $25

Kimberly & James McGee $5

Andrew Vore $50

Chuck & Ginny Fife $25

Thomas & Bonnie Wheeler $25

Cindy Interval $25

Jeff & Lisa McCracken $25

Pat & Ray Fratini $25

In Memory of Todd Hammond from Jackie & Dave Hammond $25

Remembering J.D. The D.J. from Chuck Oglesby $25

In Memory of Tom Marshman from Shirley Steele $25

Don & Bev Zofchak $25

Janet M. & John F. Bell $50

M-Tech Inc. Jim & Diana Hull $100

Howie & Michele Millick $20

William & Maureen Premro $15

James & Marlene Hancher $50

Emily Shade $25

Janet Collins $200

Helen Kinder & Norma Mounts $10

Louise Mosier $25

Robert Evans Jr. D.D.S. $100

Mayor Brenda Davis, Jimmie D’Alessandro & Lydia D’Alessandro $20

Michael Caroselli $15

Davids LTD $50

Robert Garrett $25

In Memory of Elsie Rearick from Brenda Rearick $25

In Loving Memory of Darla Jo from William & Joyce Koeppelle $25

William & Eileen Higbee $15

In Memory of Libby Durish from Family & Friends $75

Ross & Barbara Jicomelli $50

In Memory of Danny Passo by Rich & Kim Luketich $30

David & Judy Penn $25

Joseph & Linda Larocka $25

Kathy & Dennis Bell $50

Phyllis Brooks $10

Florence Elenitsas $50

In Loving Memory of Harry H. Uram by wife, Loretta & daughter Rhonda $25

In Loving Memory of Ann & Andrew Onderko from Joan & Jerry Cortese $40

Richard & Joan Disalle $250

In Memory of Gibson Clark Jr. from his family $25

Faith United Presbyterian Church Quilters $25

In Memory of Kathy Shuster from Evan & Connor Eberlein $30

In Honor of Tom (“Sandy”) Hummell’s 70th Birthday by his family $70

Debby Jo Shaner $20

Arthur Hunt $30

Betty Smith $50

Pete & Mildred Hendricks $30

A. William & Connie Kiehl $25

Kathleen & S. Stephen Leonardi $20

In Memory of Byron Smialek from Bonnie Keirs $20

Pamela & Donald Bamberger $25

Vivian & Francis Cavalier $50

Steve & Elizabeth Kouklakis $20

West Alexander United Methodist Women $200

First Baptist Church Circle of Concern $50

In Memory of Dr. & Mrs. Wilson B. Pizzi & Kenneth R. Keirs from Bryan & Sue Pizzi $100

Ronald & Linda Luisi $20

Gloria Mankey $40

In Memory of my wife, Patty Silvers & my mother, Jean Silvers from George Silvers, Jr. $50

Patrick & Linda Donahue $50

In Memory of my mother Wynona Irwin from Debbie Cox $30

Richard & Lydia Kozloff $30

Terry & Frederick Hutson $30

Victoria & David Cushey $25

In Memory of Jonathan Martin from Douglas & Sherri Martin $25

Ron & Vicki Dzikowski $25

Ronald & Marjorie King $100

Barbara Thomas $25

Jim & Gail Balent $25

In Memory of Byron Smialek from Anonymous $50

Jeffrey Smith $50

Howard & Shirley Rhome $25

In Memory of James Wagner from Jean & Dale Lyons $50

Joanne & Jen Reck $25

Mackenzie Wagner $190.15

Judith & Gary Stewart $25

Michael & Margaret Ross $100

In Memory of Byron Smialek from Joe’s Bakery $25

Schweinebraten Bus Co. $205

Joseph & Christina Tomecsko $15

In Memory of Daniel J. Passo from wife & daughters $25

Michael & Janet Racko $30

The Levers $25

Ladies of the Elks-Washington Elks 776 $205

William Hergenroeder, CPA $25

In Loving Memory of W.J. “Jerry” Marcischak from Anita Marcischak $25

West End Neighborhood Watch $25

Doug & Angela Minton $100

Patricia Winters $20

Freda & Alfonso Fortunato $25

Joe & Lori Trapuzzano $25

In Memory of Fred Armstrong by Carl, Linda, Angela & Jennifer Armstrong $20

North Franklin Twp. Vol. Fire Co. $150

Carolyn & Joseph Rendziak $25

Trinity Teachers & Staff $100

In memory of James & Marguerite Baker, Elysabeth Redd by Vaughn & Doug Rubis $20

In Memory of Donna Lee Rubis by Vaughn & Doug Rubis $20

Anonymous $235