Giving thanks by giving back

By AMANDA TONOLI

and JOE GORMAN

atonoli@vindy.com

jgorman@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

Turkeys were on the move Monday throughout the city.

The city police department helped deliver 100 turkeys donated by Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream & Yogurt, while turkeys also were given to students at East High School and turkey dinners were served for lunch at Harding Elementary School.

Leo Fisher, CEO of Handel’s, said, “We want to share our gratitude with the community that has been so good to us.”

Fisher also said he hopes to grow the event and encourage more businesses to donate.

“We can make this an

annual thing,” Fisher said.

Officer Phil Skowron of the Community Police Unit, which delivered the turkeys, was a welcome guest at the East Boston Avenue home of Nicole McCullough and TremainWilliams.

“It’s a blessing,” McCullough said.

“It’s really a big help,” added Williams. “Everybody’s going to be fed off of this.”

The two wanted to make sure they also thanked the people responsible for the turkeys.

Chief Robin Lees said Fisher has helped out before, and he always thinks of the police department as well.

“I wasn’t shocked when he called me,” Lees said. “He has always been very generous that way.”

The cooked turkeys at Harding Elementary on the North Side warmed the hearts of families, as well.

“It’s just so beautiful,” said Bernice Dukes, foster grandparent and school volunteer. “I can’t believe how nice it is at this school. Some [students] don’t even get to have a Thanksgiving dinner at home, so they get to have it here.”

Substitute teacher Nicole Richards echoed Dukes’ sentiment.

“It’s just good for kids to have time with their parents during the day,” she said.

Principal Teri Coward said the Thanksgiving dinner for lunch is always a joyous

occasion.

“It’s something we look forward to this time of year, every year,” she said.

Parent Nicole Funderburg, who celebrated the lunch with her four children, said the event was very special to her.

“I’m very grateful for this,” she said. “We’re going through a lot right now, and it’s just nice to have.”

Later Monday evening, Dorothy Leonard, Youngstown schools grandparent, said she was also grateful for the turkey giveaway at the meeting of PRIDE, an East High School parents group.

“It’s a wonderful event,” she said. “But that’s not the only reason we come. We are here to support the kids and parents. This is just a perfect example of parents getting together and supporting students.”

Linda Hoey, Youngstown schools chief of family engagement, said the PRIDE meeting was a perfect opportunity to give donated turkeys to parents.

“We get to show them we appreciate their partnership,” she said. “And we get to help them out for the holidays.”