OLEAN - The idea came as a surprise to those who work for an area developmental agency, but it is one that they have become used to.

“(Mr. Magnano) walked into the office a couple weeks ago and said, ‘I want to give turkeys this year,’” Vicki Blessing, vice president of commercial accounts for Park Centre Development said. “We thought he was talking about giving them to his staff. In actuality, it was donation to those that need it.”

All told, 650 turkeys were delivered to several agencies Monday.

“We called around to find out how many turkeys were needed around the area,” she said.

The agency to receive the majority of the donations was the Olean Food Pantry, receiving 250 birds.

“This is like manna from heaven,” Olean Food Pantry Volunteer Manager Maureen Curry said.

As the holidays approach, she said everybody at the pantry has a tendency to worry if they will have enough to go around.

“Everyone in this community is so generous,” she continued. “When it gets closer to holiday time they really open up their hearts and give when we need it.”

A flatbed truck from Park Centre Development went from location to location distributing the birds.

Mrs. Blessing said that, other than the 250 birds delivered to the Olean Food Pantry, Loaves and Fishes received 200, the Genesis House, 25; St. Vincent depot, 25; the Salvation Army, 75; the Warming House, 10; and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 15.

“The Warming House and St. Stephen’s will use their turkeys to make dinners for those in the community,” Mrs. Blessing said.

Linda Shafer, director of Loaves and Fishes, housed at Hillside Wesleyan Church, agreed that the donation will make it possible to serve the families that need it.

“It made it possible to do a lot more,” she said. “It has opened the door to help more families. We are so much in gratitude for Mr. Magnano’s generous donation.”

(Contact reporter Chris Chapman at cchapman@oleantimesherald.com)

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LARRY AUSTIN wrote on Nov 17, 2009 7:37 PM:

" GREAT JOB LOU, KEEP IT UP. "

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MeMyselfandI wrote on Nov 18, 2009 9:10 AM:

" With so many negative stories in the paper these days it is nice to see this one...It is nice to see someone who can give back to the area actually thinking of others...several thank yous to Mr. Magnano... "

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Nancy Walsh wrote on Nov 18, 2009 11:07 AM:

" You're my hero, Louis! "

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