Boy Scout collects turkeys for needy families

As long as they are not still feathered and squawking, Sebring High school freshman Joseph De Genaro wants your turkeys.

The 14-year-old Boy Scout has launched an ambitious service project aimed at feeding hundreds of Highlands County families this holiday season by collecting or purchasing 300 frozen turkeys and non-perishable food items.

"I hope that we can help feed over 250 families this Thanksgiving and that (the project) can provide a meal for them," said De Genaro.

Donations and food can be dropped off at a number of locations between Nov. 1 and 15.

Florida Hospital's Sebring and Lake Placid locations will be accepting donations, along with St. John United Methodist Church in Sebring, the First United Methodist Church in downtown Sebring, Brewster's Coffee Shop and the YMCA.

Brewster's Coffee Shop and both churches are also able to collect and store frozen turkeys.

A $15 donation will purchase a turkey through a discount provided to De Genaro by Walmart, who also made a donation.

Checks can be made out to the St. John United Methodist church, which sponsors De Genaro's Scout troop.

"The person receives a 'turkey ticket' if they donate over $15," added De Genaro with a grin. "It's a piece of paper that reminds you how you've helped feed a family this Thanksgiving."

De Genaro decided to organize the food drive after overhearing his parents talking about Thanksgiving and the problem of hunger for families during these difficult economic times.

He also is making the food drive his Eagle Scout project, hoping to earn the badge in 2010, the Boy Scouts' centennial year.

To become an Eagle Scout, Scouts have to come up with an original idea for a service project, lead it and organize others to help carry it out.

Past Eagle Scout projects have included fixing a community bench or organizing an event on bike safety, according to De Genaro. But his goals are loftier, as the high schooler intends to make the food drive an annual event even after he's earned his badge.

De Genaro is working with the Boys and Girls Club and Parkway Food Ministries to identify the needy families and distribute the food.

If enough food is collected, De Genaro hopes to be able to help hard-hit families with a Christmas meal, as well.

Once he's earned his badge, De Genaro will be the first Eagle Scout in his troop of 20 boys.

For more information on the food drive, contact the Rev. Ronald De Genaro Jr. at the St. John United Methodist Church in Sebring.