Since 2002, students have been participating in a nonprofit organization, “Turkeys 4U.” Turkeys 4U all started when a 14-year-old Kinnelon High School student, Blake Wheale, was sitting at his dinner table on Thanksgiving. He was saddened that some families do not have a Thanksgiving meal on their dinner table for Thanksgiving. So, he coordinated with advisors Debra Casha and Larry Casha to raise money for turkeys and make a change.

Ever since, Turkeys 4U has been pairing up with the Montville UNICO Foundation to collect money for food certificates and turkeys. These food certificates and turkeys are distributed to local families and communities in need, such as the Father English Center in Paterson, Pine Brook Firehouse, Interfaith Food Pantry in Morris Plains, and the Church of Nazarene in Butler. 

Over the years, Turkeys 4U has raised over $286,600 and donated over 18,000 turkeys. These students collect this money by sending personalized letters to families and friends. They are then able to send back a check, where 100% of the money goes towards food certificates and turkeys. Club members also speak at Our Lady of the Magnificat, located in Kinnelon to raise even more money. This year, they are proudly donating 416 turkeys, along with $1,800 worth of food certificates. 

All turkeys were purchased from Shop Rite in Lincoln Park. Shop Rite was kind enough to provide a transportation service to all locations. Mount Olive limousine service, “My Limo,” also donated a bus for the past two years to transport the Turkeys 4U members to each location on donation day. 

Every Saturday before Thanksgiving the members come together to distribute the turkeys and food certificates to each location. This year, Debra and Larry Casha, Co-Advisor Dorthy Lovenguth, eight students from Kinnelon High School, two students from Morris Knolls High School, and one student from the County College of Morris, teamed up for a good cause. 

Turkeys 4U Co-President Ella Corigliano says, “This club is very special to me because it makes me feel good about myself, and it feels great to give back to communities in need.”

If you are looking to send a donation, a check can be made payable to Montville UNICO Foundation, along with Turkeys 4U in the memo section. The mailing address is PO Box 788, Montville, NJ 07045. All checks are 100% tax deductible, and all money goes towards the food certificates and turkeys. Thank you!