Today marks the start of The Herald Good News Fund’s 14th annual drive that will provide turkeys for Christmas to families that ordinarily would be unable to afford such a holiday staple.

The year-round fund is affiliated with the Community Foundation of Eastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania, created by local community leaders to benefit the entire Mercer County area.

Because the foundation is tax-exempt, all donations to the fund are tax-deductible. From the donations, turkeys will be provided to local families through the Community Food Warehouse of the Shenango Valley and its network of pantries.

In its first 13 years, the fund has generated nearly $120,000, all of which has bought nearly 15,000 turkeys and other food for the needy. For its 2006 food drive, the fund has set a goal of buying 1,200 turkeys for distribution in the area.

Throughout its history, the fund has garnered most of its contributions from hundreds of local families and several professional offices and businesses.

While the warehouse on Broadway Avenue in Farrell is the major source of food for the pantries and selected agencies, meat products generally have been unavailable because of the price of such staples.

Turkeys will be bought from Magnotto’s Shop ’n Save and Michael Magnotto, president of the Hermitage grocery store, has volunteered to provide them at dealer’s cost, as he has since the inception of the fund.

As the fund appeal moves through the holiday season, donors will be acknowledged in The Herald.

People wanting to make a tax-free contribution should make their checks payable to The Good News Fund and mail them in care of The Herald, Box 51, Sharon 16146.

Contributions also may be dropped off at The Herald office, 52 S. Dock St. in Sharon.

The fund offers readers the option of making a donation in the name of a friend or family member as a holiday gift idea.

Being a member of the foundation not only gives the fund tax-exempt status, it assures donors of strictest accountability and conformity to Internal Revenue Service regulations.

The turkeys are distributed through these area pantries.

Farrell: Prince of Peace Center

Greenville: Good Shepherd Center and the Salvation Army