Community Corner

Wilkinsburg Toy Drive Set for Thursday

Join this all-day drive and make a difference.

This Thursday, SD Transit, Inc. is donating a bus that will serve as a drop-off spot to the Second Annual Wilkinsburg Toy Drive, which will run from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. next to H&R Block at 729 Penn Ave.

The Wilkinsburg Toy Drive serves children from birth to the age of 18, with a focus on youth between the ages of 13 to 18. The drive accepts new, unwrapped toys or monetary donations for the purchase of gifts.

The toys will be distributed at the H&R Block office at 11 a.m. this Saturday at a party with Santa, cookies, hot chocolate and holiday spirit.

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Wilkinsburg Councilwoman Vanessa McCarthy-Johnson saw a need in 2010, when many families missed the deadlines for other toy donation programs and had no way of getting toys for the children. She also noticed that the older children were always left out.

”Wilkinsburg residents are always looking at ways to help each other in difficult times,” said Ms. McCarthy-Johnson in a news release. “Some families are struggling to meet day-to-day needs and the holidays add another layer of burden upon their shoulders. We are asking you to be a good neighbor and help out those who need help to provide toys, and a bit of joy, to their families.”

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When asked to donate to the toy drive, SD Transit president, Stephanie Durrett, jumped at the chance. Instead of just giving a donation of toys, she wanted to help out in a bigger way.

“I really wanted to help these families and their children, and thought this would not only help others give, but be a lot of fun as well!” said Durrett.

Last year, nearly 300 Wilkinsburg children were given holiday gifts.

Applications for families are available at the police department on Ross Avenue in the borough building. The 2011 toy drive is co-chaired by Antoinette Watkins and sponsored by Wilkinsburg Borough, Wilkinsburg Chamber of Commerce, SD Transit, Inc., and Wilkinsburg Community Development Corporation; with major support from Pittsburgh Dry Cleaners, Stanton Electric, Glenn Engineering and Allegheny Chesapeake Physical Therapy.

Contact McCarthy-Johnson at 412-867-5882 or vmccarthyjohnson@wilkinsburgpa.gov for more information, to volunteer or to make a contribution.


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