Oct 24, 2018 4 min read

Thanksgiving is less than a month away, and the 2000 Turkeys campaign is in full swing.

And the donations received so far – more than $9,000 received and an additional $32,500 pledged by two local companies – will go a long way to make sure food insecure residents of Washington County  get to enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner.

2000 Turkeys is a grassroots effort that has become the largest annual fundraiser for the Greater Washington County Food Bank. The food bank serves an estimated 5,500 Washington County families, and during the holiday season, that number grows to about 7,500 families.

“We have been donating to 2000 Turkeys for the past several years. We think it’s a good cause,” said Joe Jack of the Train Gang, which displays and operates a model railroad set at Washington Crown Center from Nov. 23 through Dec. 23 daily except Mondays from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. and on Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. They also will display the railroad set-up on Nov. 15 from 4 to 8 p.m.

Two companies who annually support 2000 Turkeys have again generously answered the call. Range Resources has pledged a matching donation up to $20,000, while Shepherd’s Finance LLC has pledged to match donations up to $12,500.

On behalf of the Food Bank and the families who receive a Thanksgiving dinner, the 2000 Turkeys committee – Pete Povich of long-time sponsor WJPA, Canonsburg Mayor David Rhome, Laural Ziemba of Range Resources, original co-founder Grace Hopwood, and Karen Mansfield of the Observer-Reporter – thank you for the donations that have been pouring in.

Often, donors attach notes to the checks they mail in – Marian Wagner included a handwritten message that read, “I am teaching my grandchildren the importance of giving back to the community.” – or make donations in memory of a loved one.

Another note read, “Keep up the good work.”

But really, you’re doing the good work, Washington County, and helping us get closer to reaching our goal of raising $100,000. Let’s keep it up!

Please mail donations to 2000 Turkeys, P.O. Box 2000, Washington, Pa., 15301.

Thank you to the following for their generous donations: 

Klaus and Mel Behrens $100

John and Marian Wagner with Elizabeth, Jay and Blissany Mounts $75

Michael Poness $25

Harry and Barbara DeWitt $25

James and Patricia Eglar $50

Marlene and James Richey $25

Valerie Farquharson $35

Pete and Gerry Graziotto in memory of Byron Smialek $100

Marie Pollock $20

Dian Buchner White $20

Garvin and Rosalyn Putt $35

Nancy Hunter $1,000

Cathleen and Lynford Lynch $50

Caryn Sousa $20

Linda Wilson Kacvinsky in memory of Charles Kacvinsky Sr. $50

Yaszmin, Douglas, Brady an Ellianna $25

Lou and Ruth Vore $200

Noreen Kubincanek $25

Patricia Brletic $100

Buffalo Homemakers $50

Gary K. Johnson $500

Audrey Bunner and Tracy Hapeman $50

Albert and Patricia Nagy $50

David Komlenic $20

Joseph and Kathleen Progar $40

Anonymous $100

Chris Hamilton $20

Steve and Louvilla Skariot $50

James and Sondra Curtis Craig $100

Anonymous $20

John and Donna Sheppard $35

Velma Hollick $100

Ronald and Trudy Kosey $50

Peter and Ann Pozonsky $25

EQT Corp. $1,000

Tad and Vicki Zieba $50

Ted and Cheryl Marchich in honor of all those who helped us  $25

William and Carol Boardley $50

Janet Carey and Rhiannon Michaels $20

Duncan Nickles $50

Joseph and Joann Sciulli $50

Sandra Presto $50

Joseph and Carol Mazzetti $50

Joann and Norman Nadalin $50

Alice and Terry Oblock $20

Donald and Deborah Dague $200

Agnes Belcher $30

Bruce Burnfield in memory of Randy Whipkey $25

Sandra and Robert Hahn $100

Karl and Judith Kirschner $75

James and Vanessa Beatty $20

Linda Hill $50

Gene and Kathleen McDaniel in memory of Rich and Barbara Gregg $100

Sally Pallesco $20

Carolyn Casciola $50

Catherine Dhanse $20

Loretta Churney in memory of Denise Churney $20

The Train Gang $250

Joanne Reck $50

Gary and Colleen Craig $20

Charles and Beth Ann Moyar $100

Kang’s Black Belt Acacemy $2,100

Sollon Funeral and Cremation Services $100

Glen Martin $50

John and Corinne Spadaro in memory of Rose Spadaro McGarry $100

Bernadette Sendora $25

John Somsky $100

Barry and Barbara Charriere $50

Pvt. James Perry VFW Post 191 $500

Joyce Lipari and family $40

Chuck DiLorieto $100