Eagle project had turkeys on Mattawa's tables
Every member of Boy Scout Troop 94 assisted Jonah Gallacci with his Eagle project. By the time they finished, there were 530 turkeys and frozen chickens waiting to make Christmas special for struggling South County families. Pictured are: from left - Mathew Yorgesen, Dawson Peterson, Owen Que, Nathan Moughan, Benjamin Calaway and Braydon Yorgesen. Helping but missing from the picture was Michael Coulson.
MATTAWA - Jonah Gallacci has no idea if his Eagle Scout project will be deemed good enough, to be awarded scouting's highest honor, but he's satisfied he did the right thing.
Gallacci spearheaded an effort that ensured a frozen turkey - chicken if they preferred - at Christmas for every struggling family in the Mattawa area. With the help, of all members, of Boy Scout Troop 94 and other volunteers. There were 530 new turkeys and chickens combined at the Mattawa Food Bank on distribution day, Dec. 21.
"Everbody got a turkey," Gallacci said.
All Gallacci really had to do was get the word out about his goal. He found people were waiting to help.
"Mostly I made phone calls," he said.
Turkeys, and chickens, poured in from Mattawa and Royal City and as far away as Othello and Pasco.
"People bought turkeys with their own money and donated them to us," Gallacci said.
Businesses like Marty's Hardware and Rio's Auto Ag in Mattawa donated turkeys. In total, more than 70 people and businesses donated.
The idea was not Gallacci's alone. Last year, his LDS Bishop Kip Calaway put him in charge of a similar campaign. That memory triggered this action.
"I just thought it would be a good thing for every family to have a turkey for Christmas," Gallacci said.
There were so many turkeys and chickens donated that additional storage, including a Wahluke school kitchen, had to be found temporarily. There are still turkeys and chickens at the food bank.
"I'm just grateful everyone was willing to help," Gallacci said.
Now all Gallacci has to do is write a report on his project and send it up the chain of command for a decision. If this is good enough, he'll celebrate.
If not, he'll try to think of another good deed to do. They feel especially good at Christmas time.