CENTER TWP — The efforts of one 5-year-old boy will make sure some people in need have something to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.

Tammy Ordy of Center Township was watching the Disney film “Mickey's Christmas Carol” with her son Grant when the kindergartner turned to her with a request.

“He told me he wanted to collect turkeys for those in need this year,” she said.

While impressed with her son's desire to help others, she said his original idea was a bit daunting.

“He wanted to go door-to-door to collect the turkeys, then have me cook them all,” his mother said laughing. “So we came up with a better plan.”

She called her husband, Robert Ordy, at work and let him know of Grant's idea.

“I was surprised when she called me,” he said. “He's never really said anything like that before.”

Grant led the charge to help organize a food drive through family and co-workers.

Robert Ordy collected food from his co-workers at the Treesdale Golf and Country Club in Gibsonia, while his wife got donations from her co-workers at the Butler Ambulatory Surgery Center.

After about a week of work, the family ended up collecting a dozen turkeys, numerous other groceries, and cash donations.

The Ordys took the cash donations and bought a couple extra turkeys, except for one donation from a doctor Tammy Ordy works with.

“We just donated that money directly,” she said. “I didn't even want to open the envelope.”

Grant got to take all the food he helped raise to the Lighthouse Foundation's food bank Friday.

“There were a lot of people there and everyone was really surprised,” Robert Ordy said. “Everyone went up to Grant and thanked him.”

Grant isn't done being in the charitable spirit this year.

Robert Ordy said Grant and his brothers, Seth, 7, and Evan, 2, are going to volunteer at the Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in December. Grant also said he wants to donate some of his old toys to charity.

“I'm going to donate my toys to the place we gave the turkeys,” he said.

While this is Grant's first time donating to charity, his mother said it is not out of character for the young child.

“He has a big heart,” she said, adding that he has always tried to help out with his younger brother.

Grant's big heart is something his mother certainly appreciates.

“I almost cried on Friday,” she said of when Grant helped drop off the food. “Most 5-year-olds wouldn't think that way.”

The Ordys said they will collect donations again next year, and they hope to increase the amount they can raise by having more time to prepare for it.

Grant, who said he already is looking forward to the task, has big expectations for the fundraising.

“I want a turkey for everybody,” he said.