The prospects of veterans enjoying a hearty Thanksgiving meal have grown thanks to an organic community event. Supporters of veterans did their best to ensure that during the sixth annual Operation Give a Gobbler: Turkeys for Our Veterans on Wednesday at Giant Food Store in Lehighton.

Dominic Eyrich, of Palmerton, explained why he chose to donate a turkey toward the cause, presented by Valor, Colossal Radio and the Pennsylvania State Police to collect food for veterans.

“Because it helps our veterans,” Eyrich said.

The Lehighton Area High School Marching Band performed during the event.

Layne “Doc” Roberts, owner of Colossal Radio, said just over $12,000 was donated, along with a large amount of food, noting that three box trucks and a trailer were filled.

“The volume (collected) is just unheard of,” Roberts said.

Roberts noted that Larken Associates, which owns the Carbon Plaza Mall at 1241 Blakeslee Blvd. Drive E in Lehighton, donated $500 and more than 200 turkeys; Nev & Nise Produce Greenhouse LLC of Lehighton donated 800 pounds of fresh potatoes along with squash; and Jason Kistler of Team Spoonman donated a $5,000 check, 2,100 pounds of dry goods and two pallets of turkeys.

“It’s unexplainable,” Kistler said of the feeling he gets helping veterans. “It’s awesome to be part of this; it’s a little too much for me.”

Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Anthony Petroski, community services officer for Troop N, said this year’s event “was a huge success which resulted in us filling up 2 and ½ box trucks with food donations, over 600 turkeys collected and over $12,000 in cash and gift card donations that went directly to VALOR.

“This is a direct reflection of the community members and their appreciation for our veterans,” Petroski said. “This event proves that we will never forget or give up on our veterans.”

Petroski praised the community for its efforts.

“The true winners are the veterans,” Petroski said. “Thank you for another successful year.”

In advance of the event, the Palmerton, Lehighton, Jim Thorpe and Mahoning Township police departments held a friendly competition to see which department could collect the most nonperishable food items.

For the second straight year, the Lehighton Borough Police Department and Chief Troy Abelovsky claimed the homemade traveling trophy for the largest amount collected.

The department’s donation included 5,000 nonperishable items, 25 turkeys and $2,325.

Abelovsky quipped afterward that the goal for the department is to go “back to back to back to back.”

“It’s just amazing to see the outpouring of the community giving to a great foundation, our great veterans that are more in need,” said Abelovsky.

He said it’s important to continue to support veterans as much as possible.

“They will have a good meal for them and their families.”

Petroski noted that while the Lehighton Borough Police Department took home the municipal police department trophy, due to other large donors, such as that of Kistler of Team Spoonman, next year will include a civilian division, allowing someone else to take home a different trophy for their contributions to this fundraiser.

The Valor Clinic Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to improving the lives of veterans.

Valor works to improve access to quality health care and shelter for veterans.

Give a Gobbler was started in 2020 by Petroski and Roberts.

For more information, visit colossalradio.rocks.