Lincoln Elementary Students Donate To Turkey Fund

MT. LEBANON (KDKA) -- Being thankful and giving to others is definitely on the minds of the second graders at Lincoln Elementary School in Mount Lebanon. This young group of fundraisers is on a mission not only to help local families, but also to honor the memory of a woman they called "La-La," a woman KDKA-TV viewers knew as Yvonne.

Giving to the KDKA-TV Turkey Fund is extra special at Lincoln Elementary because Yvonne Zanos' grand daughters, Tess and Nora are students at the school. "It makes me feel good because we're honoring my grandmother," Nora said about contributing to the Turkey Fund.

Yvonne put her heart into leading the campaign so that local families could have Thanksgiving dinners. She worked even as her cancer progressed and talked to her daughter about making sure the giving would continue as a family tradition.

"She had said last year, 'You can carry this forward next year for me,' and at the time, the kids weren't aware of the situation, but I think they remember those words, and we're excited to remember their La-La in this way," Yvonne's daughter Niki Conway said.

The whole school is having fun with the Turkey Fund, and the principal made a deal with the second grade class. If they raised $50, he would match it. PNC Bank will match the donation as well, and the students' donations will grow to help in a big way.

"It's wonderful because it teaches these students important lessons about caring for others and about sacrificial giving," Principal Jim Salerno said. "Those are important lessons."

KDKA-TV is grateful that Lincoln Elementary and so many other schools and organizations in the Pittsburgh area get involved with the Turkey Fund.

All of the Turkey Fund money stays in Pittsburgh to help local families. There is still time for you to donate.

Remember, PNC Bank is matching donations of $50 or more made at any PNC Bank branch.

Donate to the KDKA-TV Turkey Fund.