Nov 18, 2016 5 min read

Thanks to hundreds of generous donations and contributions – including an enormous gift from Range Resources and its employees – 2000 Turkeys surpassed its goal of raising $100,000 to provide Thanksgiving dinners for food-insecure families in Washington County.

The campaign received a boost Friday when a Range Resources held a fundraiser and food drive that collected more than $30,000. Range pledged to match all 2000 Turkeys donations, up to $25,000, collected during the 10-hour fundraising event, raising the gas company’s contribution to $55,000.

Between Range’s contribution and the generosity of Washington County individuals, businesses and organizations, the 2000 Turkeys campaign raised $115,965 to help the Greater Washington County Food Bank feed low-income families who need a hand during the holiday season.

Range Resources employees, waving 2000 Turkeys signs and armed with collection jars, manned the intersections along Main Street in Washington.

Matt Pitzarella, a 2000 Turkeys board member and spokesman for Range, said, “To see everyone come together to help our neighbors in need is incredibly special. People brought big checks, small checks, bags of pennies, you name it.”

Also pitching in were Pennsylvania Fire Commissioner Tim Solobay, a 2000 Turkeys board member, who dressed as a turkey, and Canonsburg Mayor David Rhome, 2000 Turkeys chairman, who donned a pilgrim’s costume. In Charleroi, Mark Alterici, owner of Dee’s Cricket, also wore a turkey costume.

WJPA Radio, led by disc jockey and 2000 Turkeys board member Pete Povich, broadcast live from the parking lot of the Main Street Farmers Market throughout the day. The 2000 Turkeys campaign is the largest single fundraiser on behalf of the Food Bank and its neighboring pantries.

Co-sponsored by the Observer-Reporter and WJPA Radio, the grassroots program has been around since the early 1980s, when it was launched by Byron Smialek, Wayne Armstrong and Grace Hopwood, along with Povich, to help feed the underemployed and unemployed throughout the county.

Throughout the day, Range employees held unofficial competitions between teams to see who could raise more donations. One Range employee played his guitar while collecting, while others danced, and some brought their children to help.

We’re thankful to Range and its employees who volunteered their time, and for the businesses and organizations who have pledged donations over the past seven weeks. It’s because of your donations that thousands of Washington County families will be able to sit down together and enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner.

We’re grateful for the generosity of Jeffreys Drug Store owner Gerard O’Hare and the drug store employees, who donated $1,000 in memory of Dalia Sabae; Lagonda Machine Shop, which donated $1,080; the Fraternal Order of Bears in Meadowlands, which donated $450; and Ryan Rupper of Washington, who gifted $500.

For the fifth consecutive year, 8-year-old Ada Rose and 11-year-old August Ralston of Washington saved their birthday money and presented a jar filled with $94 to the 2000 Turkeys board.

“The people of Washington County have responded to our mission of raising $100,000 to provide Thanksgiving dinner to over 16,000 residents here in Washington County. The 2000 Turkeys Board of Directors has always strived, with the help of so many, to reach our goal so that no one who needs the help should ever go hungry on Thanksgiving Day,” said Rhome.

Range also collected nonperishable food during the food drive, which was held at the Main Street Farmers Market.

It is the second consecutive year Range has held the fundraiser, and its two-year contribution to 2000 Turkeys and the Food Bank is $122,000.

If you haven’t made your tax-deductible donation to 2000 Turkeys yet, it’s not too late. Send a check payable to 2000 Turkeys to 2000 Turkeys, P.O. Box 2000, Washington, Pa., 15301.

We’d like to thank every person who has donated to 2000 Turkeys.

Stephen & Katherine Rodgers $25

In Memory of my son Mark Zadach by Thelma Zadach $50

In Memory of Morton Moore from wife Caroline $50 Eileen Seifert $50

June Jones $25

In Memory of our parents Bob & Georgia Riley from Robert Riley Jr. $1000

Bill & Betty Braun $25

Bob & Vi Azman $25

W. Linn & Becky Brookman $50

Dominick & Deanna Rossi $25

Michael Yopek & Mary Colombo $30

In Loving Memory of Mike Ferrari from Pat Ferrari & Family $25

David Burt & Family $50

Laurie & John Heintz $100

Dr. & Mrs. Gregory Nairn $100

Reca Panian $25

Adrienne Guelker & Richard Dotts $20

Rose Marie Coppola $50

Bob & Donna Jones $25

Don & Marie Kunselman $30

Mary Lou & Alvin Briggs $50

Bernard & Barbara Desmond $25

Dr. & Mrs. Thomas Wilkinson $50

Paul & Sandy Harton $25

Joyce & Jack Holland $25

From George R Coleman, Jr. in Honor of my wife Darlene Coleman $50

Pete & Gerry Graziotto $50

David & Aryiro Spencer $25

Clyde & Joyce Hood $50

Kathleen Voigt $25

James & Nancy Wright $50

Elmer & Judy Ealy $25

Scott Piasente $75

Daniel & Carol Anderson $25

David, Kathy & Barbara Wilkens $50

In Memory of Robert Coburn & Frank Fiem by Deborah & Fran R Fiem $50

Loretta & Gary Nicholson $25

David & Janet Mazon $200

Mountain Valley Trail Riders, Inc. $100

Michael & Heidi Neville $25

Ronald & Carol Bayer $40

Peter & Denise Coppola $25

Donald & Judith Borneman $50

Keystone Progressive Assn. $100

Isimingers Automotive Service Center Towing Service $50

Isimingers Automotive Service Center Splish Splash Laser Car Wash $50

Frank & Karen Zrimm $30

David & Beverly Reck $50

George & Linda Pescho $30

Shirley Mastnock $350

Thomas & Rebecca Wild $200

Nick & Helen Samila $25

Kathy & A Dennis Bell $50

Patricia Rae Mancuso $20

James & Judith Femia $25

Robert & Betty Hodgens $25

Sue Beels $60

Diana Drazick $30

Joann & Janice Brownlee $50

Phyllis Brooks $20

M. Tucker $50