2000 Turkeys campaign in full swing
If you ever wonder whether people are still willing to help their neighbors, 2000 Turkeys provides the answer: It’s a resounding yes.
The 2015 campaign, aimed at providing a Thanksgiving dinner for underemployed and unemployed families in Washington County, has raised more than $30,000 so far.
We’re still a long way from our goal of raising $100,000 to make sure that the every one of the 5,000 families in need (about 19,000 people, including seniors and children) can sit down to a Thanksgiving meal, but we’re confident that Washington County individuals, businesses and organizations will come through in the two weeks remaining until Thanksgiving Day.
Among those who have pitched in to help 2000 Turkeys are the family of the late Bill Britt, who donated to the campaign in his memory as part of their 59 Random Acts of Kindness celebration.
Britt’s wife, Paula, said that after he died on Aug. 2, 2011, one of his daughters suggested that the family celebrate his life by doing 55 random acts of kindness in honor of his 55th birthday.
The family (Paula, seven children and his parents), has done random acts of kindness for the past four years, adding a good deed each year.
Between Nov. 16 and Britt’s birthday on Dec. 16, family members will complete 58 more kind acts.
And Range Resources, which has been a faithful supporter of 2000 Turkeys over the years, has once again stepped up.
On Nov. 20, Range will sponsor a matching donation day, matching all 2000 Turkeys contributions up to $25,000.
Range spokesman Matt Pitzarella, a 2000 Turkeys board member, said Range employees will set up shop at locations throughout Washington County to accept the donations that Range will match.
Several 2000 Turkeys board members also will be on hand to thank contributors.
In fact, 2000 Turkeys board members Tim Solobay and David Rhome will wear a turkey costume and a Pilgrim costume, respectively, and make appearances at various locations. Early on in the 2000 Turkeys drive, when committee members were worried about losing key contributors, Solobay said he’d do anything, including wear a turkey costume, to raise money – and he is a man of his word.
On behalf of those families struggling to get through the holidays, the 2000 Turkeys committee – the group of Washington Countians includes me, Rhome, Solobay, Pitzarella, Pete Povich and Grace Hopwood, with the backing of the Washington Observer-Reporter and WJPA Radio – thanks the hundreds of individuals, businesses and organizations that have stepped forward to lend a hand.
We’re proud to carry on the legacy of generosity started by 2000 Turkeys founders, the late Wayne Armstrong and Byron Smialek, who organized a food drive in 1983 (which turned into 2000 Turkeys) because they wanted to make sure unemployed families – many steelworkers among them – were able to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner.
Armstrong was involved in dozens of volunteer organizations and projects, and his widow, Peggy, said 2000 Turkeys and its mission of ensuring that down-on-their-luck families can sit down to a holiday meal together was one of the most important to him.
The event has grown in popularity and worth, and it’s turned into a tradition for the Washington County families, schools and businesses that help provide a Thanksgiving meal for those families who meet the eligibility requirements established by the Greater Washington County Food Bank.
Every $15 provides a Thanksgiving dinner for a family of four.
2000 Turkeys is the biggest single fundraiser for the Greater Washington County Food Bank.
To donate, please send a check to 2000 Turkeys, P.O. Box 2000, Washington, Pa., 15301.
Thanks to the following, who have generously donated:
In memory of Jeremy Spina by Frank & Mary Jo Spina $100
Washington Lions Club $500
Barry & Barbara Charriere $40
Gaylord McMurdy Jr. $20
Samuel & Deborah Ditullio $100
In memory of our beloved brothers Bernard E Gareis A.K. A. Buddy Sharpe & John A Gareis by Richard & June McKitrick $50
Scott Cook $20
James Berton $20
Anonymous $30
Dorothy & David Brecht $25
Linda & Bill Hill $40
Mike & Pat Ferrari $25
Karl & Judy Kirschner $100
Linda Hainer $15
William Schenck $50
In memory of my grandma Marily L. Miller from her grandog Penny A. Miller $25
Jay & Joan Helsel $30
Joseph Deluca $25
Officers & members of the National Slovak Society Assembly 588 of Avella $100
Mark & Sandra Bonanni $20
James & Betty Abbott $25
In loving memory of Ryan Sheppard from sister Christine Sheppard $25
Charles Kebart $25
Paul & Sandy Harton $25
West End Neighborhood Watch $25
John & Virginia Ullom $25
Judy & Marty Beichner $200
Charles & Donna Becker $30
Pat & Ray Fratini $25
Louise Stringer $45
Julia Patterson $25
Ron & Linda Luisi $25
Sandra Todaro $20
Randy & Sandra Hewitt $25
Laura & Vic Perri $50
In memory of Denny Rusiewski by John & Carole Pankas $75
Alanna Carroll $50
Ellen & Robert Deblasio $50
Jeanette Floss $20
Rebecca McAdoo $25
Margaret Rankin $25
David Bramer $50
Ada Pifferetti $50
Donna Henderson $30
In memory of my wife Darlene and in honor of my special friend Mrs. Peg Wilson by George Coleman Jr. $50
Keystone Progressive Assn. $200
Patrick & Debra Pitzarella $30
Heather & Eric Quedenfeld $50
Frank & Rose Marie Coppola $25
Bentworth Education Association $250
Amelia & Joseph Solobay $25
Daniel & Katherine Bayer $25
Theresa & Earl Dhanse $25
Fred & Lois Smith $25
Kal Flaskos $25
Joyce & Jack Holland $25
In memory of son & brother Mark Zadach by Thelma Zadach & Lynette Del Vecchio $100
Phyllis Matheny $20
Anonymous $30
Helen & Nick Samila $25
Ferne Rogers $50
James & Judith Femia $10
William Domick $40
Robert Thornton $25
Lower Ten Mile Presbyterian Church $250
James & Rebecca Jackson $25
Richard & Melinda Baker $60
Mark & Joyce Knestrick $25
Linda Fehrman $30
In memory of my husband James R. (Bob) Stewart from Joan Stewart $100
In loving memory of my husband Terry Zaken, by wife, Marlane Zaken $30
In memory of Earl Miller by Mary Miller $25
Henrietta & William Burns $30
James & Nancy Proudfit $100
In loving memory of our parents Nick and Josephine Y. Skirchak from Joyce and Janine $300
Donald & Marguerite Stark $50
Rt. 19 Bowling Center $50
George Reynolds $50
Thomas & Michelle Day $100
Perry & Dorothy Pinto $25
In honor of “Random Acts of Kindness” event by the Britt Family to honor their late husband, father, son Bill Britt $50
In memory of our parents from Bob & “Georgie” Riley $1000
In memory of my husband, Steve Drazick, from Diane Drazick $50
William & Elaine Johnson $50
Leigh Ann & Thomas Triebsch $10 Joan & Frank Steiminger $25
Jessie & Jodi Mc Nurlen $25
James L. Holbert & Joan C. Holbert $30
Mark F Geary, attorney $25
Strnisha Excavation, Inc. $500
Leonard & Eileen Laabs $50
Adrienne Guelker & Richard Dotts $20
In memory of our daughter Karen Rossetti from Conrad & Gerrie Rossetti $45
Al & Marianne Sopko $30
In memory of Lou Grabowski by James & Nancy Wright $50
Robert & Patricia Crall $25
Patricia R Mancuso $15
Betty Smith $60
Joann & Janice Brownlee $50
Robert & Judith Safko $25
Darlene & Frank Tragone $20
Thomas & Laraine Zawatski $30
Phyllis Ullom $50
Robert & Velma Hollick $50
In loving memory of my husband Willard Hudak from his wife Frances $30