2007 Annual toy drive a success
Hundreds of needy children in Central Pennsylvania experienced the excitement and joy of receiving a Christmas present, thanks to the generosity of businesses and individuals donating to the annual Volunteers of America Toy Drive.
More than 3,500 new toys, as well as monetary donations were made for needy children in Dauphin, Cumberland and Perry Counties.
The Toy Drive, a Volunteers of America tradition in Central Pennsylvania for more than 80 years, begins each year just after Thanksgiving.
Toys are collected in our colorful cardboard chimney boxes. The history of the Volunteers of America chimney dates to 1900 when they were first used by Sidewalk Santas.
The Santas stood by the chimneys ringing a bell for Volunteers of America as they sought monetary donations to help the needy.
While that tradition is alive today in New York City, where all Sidewalk Santas must attend Santa College to learn the proper way to say ho-ho-ho, as well as other points of Santa etiquette.
In Central Pennsylvania, however, the chimneys are used for collecting toys. This year there was an outstanding response from a large number of businesses and organizations.
Volunteers of America thanks all of the businesses, organizations and individuals who did a tremendous job in making the season a little brighter for children who have little.
Here are just some of the many companies and organizations who participated include:
WHTM-TV abc 27, Harrisburg
Penn National Insurance, Harrisburg
Saul Ewing, LLP, Harrisburg
PA School Boards Association, Mechanicsburg
Planet Fitness, Harrisburg, Camp Hill, Mechanicsburg
Duquesene University, Camp Hill
Marsh USA, Harrisburg
Centric Bank
M&T Bank
Integrity Bank
Graystone Bank
Sovereign Bank
York Technical Institute, Mechanicsburg
First Christian Church, Lemoyne
The Foundation for Enhancing Communities, Harrisburg
REDDI, Harrisburg
Talbot's, Harrisburg
Uniglobe Travel Management Consultants, Mechanicsburg
Rettew Associaties, Camp Hill
Signature Staffing, Lemoyne
Adams-Hanover Counseling Service, Harrisburg
Wix, Wenger & Weidner, Harrisburg
Pennsylvnia School Boards Association, Mechanicsburg
Arthur Murray Dance Studio, Lemoyne, York
Hampton Inn Harrisburg West, Mechanicsburg
Kope & Associates, Camp Hill
SECCO, Inc., Camp Hill
Outback Steak House, Harrisburg
Harrisburg Auto Auction, Mechanicsburg
Curves of West Hanover, Harrisburg
National Recovery Agency, Harrisburg
Quantum Imaging, Camp Hill
ACS, Inc., Harrisburg
TruGreen ChemLawn, Harrisburg
Kinkora Pythian Home, Duncannon
Siemens Building Technologies, Mechanicsburg
NAI/CIR, Wormleysburg
Nauman Smith Shussler & Hall, Harrisburg
Loyalton of Harrisburg, Harrisburg
Essex House, Lemoyne
High Associates, Ltd., Mechanicsburg
The Manor at Oakridge, Harrisburg