2000 Turkeys drive reaches goal
The 2000 Turkeys campaign got a little help – make that a lot of help – from Range Resources and its employees last week.
The gas company had pledged to match all donations made to 2000 Turkeys, up to $25,000, during a 10-hour fundraiser and food drive on Friday.
And it delivered.
Range Resources employees, armed with 2000 Turkeys signs, collection jars and overwhelming enthusiasm, stood at the intersections of Wheeling and Main streets and Chestnut and Main streets in Washington and raised $37,610 for the 2000 Turkeys campaign.
Between Range (which upped its matching donation to $30,000), the company’s employees who volunteered their time, and the residents, businesses and organizations in Washington County who stopped their cars along Main Street, wound down their windows and handed over $10 and $20 bills throughout the day, the 2000 Turkeys campaign netted $67,000 that will ensure the approximately 4,700 Washington County families who are served each month by the Greater Washington County Food Bank will be able to have a Thanksgiving dinner.
Those efforts helped the 2000 Turkeys campaign surpass its goal of raising $100,000 during the eight-week campaign, enough to guarantee that the more than 19,000 people who are down on their luck because of job loss or other events can sit down with their family members on Thanksgiving and share a holiday meal.
So far, 2000 Turkeys has raised $129,813.
Range’s donation was the single largest donation made in the history of 2000 Turkeys, said Canonsburg Mayor David Rhome, a longtime member of the 2000 Turkeys board.
Range also donated $30,000 directly to the Greater Washington County Food Bank, along with nonperishable food the company collected during a food drive the company held on Friday at the parking lot in front of the Main Street Farmers Market.
It also held a food collection throughout the week leading up to the matching funds event for employees and service company parters.
Matt Pitzarella, a 2000 Turkeys board member and spokesman for Range, said the company had set a goal to raise $100,000 this year to benefit hunger-related causes.
“Thanks to the efforts of our employees, our business partners in the region, and the generous giving of Washington County residents, we exceeded our goal. Our employees live here too and as we saw with the fundraising effort, they’re as generous and caring as the rest of the community in donating their time, talents and dollars to support those in need,” said Pitzarella, calling the event a demonstration of the strength of the community.
Helping the cause were Pennsylvania Fire Commissioner Tim Solobay, a 2000 Turkeys board member, who dressed as a turkey, and Rhome, wearing a pilgrim’s costume.
WJPA Radio,led by disc jockey/2000 Turkeys board member Pete Povich, broadcast live from the parking lot throughout the day.
The 2000 Turkeys campaign is the largest single fundraiser on behalf of the Greater Washington County Food Bank and its neighboring pantries. Range has been a supporter of the food bank, donating nearly $750,000 over the past six years. About $500,000 has come directly from Range, and another $250,000 through fundraisers the company has held with vendors and business partners.
The food bank has established qualification guidelines, set by the Department of Agriculture, for families who receive the Thanksgiving dinners. Families must register in advance. For additional information, call the food bank at 724-632-2190.
We’d like to thank every person who has donated to 2000 Turkeys, from the $79 donation made by 10-year-old August and 7-year-old Ada Rose Ralston of Washington (who saved change, including birthday money), to the $1,600 collected by ATI employees while they stood on the picket line.
For the past six years, E. Jeffrey Jox, owner of Kang’s Black Belt Academy has hosted a Kick-a-thon, with the proceeds going to 2000 Turkeys. This year, the event raised $1,700. Mark Alterisi, owner of Cricket stores in Washington County, jumped on board and collected $540 for 2000 Turkeys.
That’s what makes 2000 Turkeys a special event: It’s turned into a Washington County tradition, and schools, businesses and organizations come up with unique ways to raise a few bucks to provide a holiday meal for those families who meet the guidelines followed by the food bank.
And many donors contribute in memory of a loved one, a kind gesture during the holiday season.
Every dollar counts. On behalf of the families whom you’ve helped, we thank you, Washington County.
The campaign runs through Thanksgiving, so there’s still time to mail a contribution to 2000 Turkeys, P.O. Box 2000, Washington, PA 15301.
And thanks to the following, who generously donated this past week:
Joseph & Christina Tomecsko $15
Michael & Cathy Milinovich $100
Debra & James Rhone $50
Kathy & A. Dennis Bell $50
Mt. Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church $636.32
Washington Elks #0776 $500
Michael & Elizabeth Bradwell $100
Washington Square Flower Shop $50
Thomas & Judith Humphreys $25
Terri Lemasters $10
Ken Wescott $200
McDonald/Cecil Senior Center $125
Joe Preteroti $50
Advanced Surgical Hospital & Advanced Orthopaedics $185
Dave Tomaceski $30
Anonymous $45
Mary Jo Stonfer Fedutes $25
Richard Lusk $20
Al Sten’s Auto Service $35
Robert & Betty Hodgens $50
In memory of my mother, Mary Braddock & Brother Jess Braddock by Pat Braddock Steiner $25
Serena & Gavin Durkin $50
Jackson Hutchinson $50
William & Sandra Shadel $20
Diane Bianchin $25
In memory of Byron Smialek by Paul & Carol Love $25
Madeline & John Chopp $25
Patrick & Deborah Guyton $25
Beverly & David Reck $50
John Greene $20
Nardis & Richard Hardie $25
In memory of my husband Dick Campbell by Beverly Campbell $50
Laura & James Reynolds $25
Valerie Espino $30
George & Beverly Philabaum $30
Richard & Patricia Morflak $25
John & Gail Mathias $20
George & Linda Pescho $25
Bob & Martha Williams $30
William & Sheila Black $50
Jim & Sally Reedy $25
Deborah & Edward Boesenberg $50
Pete & Mildred Hendricks $30
Emily Shade $25
Kiwanis Club of Washington, PA $100
John & Tara Sraka $25
Victoria & Charles Knox $25
In memory of Janice Marth by David Marth $20
Bernard & Irene Price $75
Thomas & Bonnie Wheeler $25
Sally Pallesco $25
Mike & Julie McLaughlin $100
In memory of Byron Smialek by Anonymous $50
Joe & Elaine Stopka $50
Robert & Linda Kelley $20
Sharon & Kenneth Opal $100
Richard & Lydia Kozloff $30
Ed & Nancy Cononge $50
Fawcett United Methodist Church, Elizabeth Hartman Circle $100
Linda Carrozza $60
Margaret Frazier $20
Greenbriar Treatment Center $1275
Davids LTD $50
United Mine Workers of America $100
Robert & Shirley Donaldson $30
William & Maureen Premro $20
Scott Piasente $75
Joseph & Linda Goblesky $50
Phyllis Brooks $10
James & Susan Jaap $25
Nina Gysegem $100
Wray & Betty Iddings $25
George & Deborah Augustine $40
In memory of Julia Skariat by Larry & Tillie Simpson $25
Helen & Robert Mitchell $50
David & Mary Beth Baker $30
Ed & Gena Roman $150
Mr. & Mrs. Donald Zielinski $25
Thomas & Lauren Grace Pirozzi $30
Tom & Judy Humphreys $25
In loving memory of my husband Mike, Mother-in-law Jean & Brother-in-law Bob by Julie Byrne $30
First Federal of Greene County $250
Douglas & Ann Hewitt $25
In memory of our parents & grandparents by Ralph, Dyane, Tyler & Myresa Troiano $40
Bernice Borkowski $15
John & Krista DeJohn $30
Arthur Hunt $50
Richard & Margaret Irey $50
Hunter Joseph Rubis $25
In memory of James E O’Bosky (Pap-Pap) & George B. Kline (Pap-Pap-Pap) by Ruth & Hannah O’Bosky $15
Nancy Bular $50
Russell & Deborah Knight $100
In loving memory of my husband Larry Marley from his wife Jan Marley $30
Mary Shaw Missionary Society, Upper Buffalo Presbyterian Church $100
Donald Battistone $50 Edward & Charlane Bickar $20
David & Carole Wallach $50
Diane & John Welty $50 Theresa Perowski $50
Irene Hodgson $10
Victoria & David Cushey $30 Ron & Sherri Van Horne $50
In memory of Debbie Bash-Ford by Dennis Ford $50
Darlene & Lou Lignelli $25
Fraternal Order of Bears $200
Alycia Ghrist $25
In memory of Bo and Lee Brewer by Patty Brewer $25
Fairmount United Methodist Church Ladies Aid $100
Marsha Knapik $100
Donald Brookman $50
Kayla & Braden Baxendell $20
Jim & Laurie Cadez $25
Justin & Heather Graham $60
In memory of my husband,Larry Romboski from Joanne Romboski $50
William & Joan Kuntz $100
Ruth & H. Edward Vero $100
In memory of my nephew Tommy Risbin from Aunt Geneva Iddings $25
Larry & Ann Miles $25
Ethel Rankin $25
Mackenzie & Tristan Sprowls $20
In memory of Jackie Jarosz & John & Bertie Brower & Tom & Betty Ryan from Joseph Jarosz, Jacqueline Jarosz & Deborah Brower $50
In honor of our Salandra & Grife families from Joseph P. & Jennifer A. Graff Salandra $250
In memory of the Hay Family $50
In memory of the Yanavich Family $50
Tony & Janet Conn $30
In loving memory, Genieve Polly, Jean Schirosky, & Elvie Mera from Julianna & John Schirosky, Jr. $50
Laverne & Eldon Ealy $25
Rebecca Moore $25
Heidi Pankopf $50
Jim & Mar Hancher $50
Douglas & Cathy Silbaugh $100
Kenneth & Susan Boone $75
In rememberance of Ila Narigon by Beverley & Fred Kaste $60 Ed & Cathy Hartner $30
Bill & Melinda Kelley $50
Ted Allen family $20
Cindy & Justine Semack $20
In memory of Mary Ann Devenney from Gene & Kathy McDaniel $50
In memory of Robert C. Price by the Price Family $50
Anonymous $160
In memory of Bernard W. Smith Sr. from Carol & Bernie Jr. $25
Lesa L .Guley $50
Cindy L. Interval $40
Mary Ellen & John West $25
Joe & Lori Trapuzzano $50
Larry & Nancy Regrut $15
Linda & Skip DiSibio $30
Willard & Rosemarie Boswell $20
Bob & Kathy Abbadini $50
Jeffrey & Claire May $75
Raymond & Marie Uniejewski $50
Louise Skiviat $25
Gary & Sharon Sladick $30
In memory of Floyd & Lois Bercosky by Velma & Wray Iddings $25
Marcia & Samuel Graham $100
William & Cindy Kottner $100
In memory of my husband, Anthony F. Brach from Janet W. Brach $20
Linda & Joseph Larocka $25
Pete & Gerry Graziotto $50
Carol & Jon Adler $50
In loving memory of Joe Perenic by Kim Perenic & Erika Allison $30
Anonymous $20
Marsha & Donald Fazekas $30
Marilyn Taylor $30
Martha & David Ward $30
JoEllen Conaway $30
Karen & David Galentine $200
Bud & Nancy Bell $40
Leonard Corazzi $50
Ruth McCurry $20
Jerome & Ethel Maley $25
Gus & June Fedis $20
Patrick & Linda Donahue $50
Frank & Jan Hixenbaugh $50
Pete & Amy Cimino $25
Selway Termite Co. $150
Kenneth Dennis $20
Debra Huggins $25
Ed Schultz Electric Inc. $500
Anonymous $5
Gene & Carole Hudak $20
Joseph & Carolyn Rendziak $25
In memory of Cliff Smigiel & Louise Smigiel from Jesse & Jeremy & Somer & Chad $10
Lois Simpson $50