An initiative to provide turkeys for our veterans at Valor is underway in Carbon County.

The Carbon Chamber & Economic Development Corp. has teamed up with Colossal Radio and the Pennsylvania State Police Troop N for Operation Give a Gobbler.

Individuals and businesses can help by donating any denomination gift card to a local grocery store or a frozen turkey on Nov. 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Colossal Radio Studio, 195 S. First St. in Lehighton.

Operation Give a Gobbler will be broadcast live on Colossal Radio on Nov. 18.

The program aims to give back to veterans at the Valor Clinic by providing them with a Thanksgiving turkey, according to trooper Anthony Petroski III, of Pennsylvania State Police Troop N.

“We’ve worked with Valor in the past,” Petroski said. “We’re doing this to give out meals.”

Petroski said the initiative is “a great way for organizations to come work together to help our veterans in the area.”

The goal is to collect 200 turkeys for Valor, according to Alice Wanamaker, assistant vice president, Carbon Chamber and Economic Development Corporation.

“We know it’s been a tough year,” Wanamaker said. “When ‘Doc’ suggested the program to us, it was a no-brainer.”

PayPal donations can be sent to @CCEDC18235, cash and checks for the program can also be made to CCEDC - 137 South St., Lehighton PA 18235.

Donations of other food items including canned tuna, canned fruit and vegetables, peanut butter, meat-based soups with vegetables and beef stew will also be collected.

For a full list of items the Valor Clinic is in need of, visit https://valorclinic.org/#things_we_need.

Valor Clinic foundation is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization committed to improving the lives of our nation’s veterans. They strive to improve access to quality of health care and shelter of veterans.