The sixth annual Operation Give a Gobbler Turkeys For Our Veterans will be held from 8 a.m. to noon Wednesday at Giant Food Store in Lehighton.

Presented by Valor, Colossal Radio and the Pennsylvania State Police, the event strives to collect food for our veterans, according to Layne “Doc” Roberts, owner of Colossal Radio.

“It’s important to give back to our veterans for all they’ve done for all of us,” Roberts said. “The amount of donation we receive goes far and wide.”

Roberts noted that in advance of the event, the Palmerton, Lehighton, Jim Thorpe, and Mahoning Township police departments have been in a friendly competition to see which department can collect the most nonperishable food items for the event.

He said nonperishable food items can be dropped at Lehighton, Palmerton, Jim Thorpe and Mahoning Township police departments, or at the Valor truck on Wednesday.

Last year, a homemade traveling trophy was presented to the Lehighton Borough Police Department and Chief Troy Abelovsky for the largest amount collected.

The department’s donation included nearly 6,000 nonperishable items, 24 turkeys and $3,275. In addition, the Palmerton and Jim Thorpe police departments also arrived with a full trailer and cruisers, helping make it the best year of donations to date.

Cash and check donations may be made at the Gorge Eatery host stand donation box or dropped off at the Valor truck on Wednesday. Checks may be made payable to The Valor Clinic Foundation. Cash donated to the Hofford Mill will be used to purchase turkeys at wholesale cost.

Last year’s event raised more donations than ever.

Roberts said $10,964 was donated, along with a lot of food.

“I think we just need to help each other,” he said. “We’ve done this program organically right out of the gate, and it was turned into something pretty cool.”

Valor Clinic Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization committed to improving the lives of veterans. Valor strives to improve access to quality health care and shelter of veterans.

Give a Gobbler was started in 2020 by Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Anthony Petroski, Community Services Officer for Troop N, and Roberts.

For more information, visit colossalradio.rocks.