Turkey Fest gobbles up the donations

Deirdre Campbell is a regular customer to the Peppermill restaurant, but she made a special trip Tuesday for the restaurant's fourth annual Turkey Fest fundraiser for Golden Harvest Food Bank and Columbia County Cares food pantries.

Campbell and her mother, Deirdre Concannon, were served a traditional Thanksgiving feast by tuxedo-clad Harlem Mayor Scott Dean.

"I thought it would be fun," said Campbell said, whose son is a former Golden Harvest volunteer. "It's a cause that's close to my heart, and I think they do such a wonderful job. I just thought it would be a blast to come here."

Dean, Columbia County Commission Chairman Ron Cross, Commissioner Tom Mercer and Associate Magistrate Judge Bobby Christine donned tuxedos and volunteered to serve at the event. Celebrities from area media and government also donated time to serve in shifts from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Peppermill owners Ling-Feng Tang and Glenn Kersh donated the meals. Guests donated $5,168.52, which will be split between the two food pantries.

Last year, Lou Reda attended the lunch to help support the two charities. This year, Reda and his wife, Cindy, enjoyed their meal in support of Columbia County Cares, which Reda was recently named director of.

"The people at Peppermill really have to be commended," Reda said. "This is a great thing the Peppermill is doing here."