Hometown Holiday Toy Drive Announced!

As the holiday season approaches, the community is gearing up for a special tradition that brings warmth, joy, and togetherness to Ellwood City.

The Ellwood City Area Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with The Borough of Ellwood City and the Ellwood City Area School District, is sponsoring the Hometown Holiday Toy Drive.

“We are excited to extend an invitation to your esteemed business to be a part of this heartwarming initiative,” says Rhiannon Schnell of the Public Works Department.

The Hometown Holiday Toy Drive is an opportunity for our community to come together and spread the holiday spirit by ensuring that every child in our town experiences the magic of the season. We collect monetary donations, new, unwrapped toys and gifts, which are then distributed to local families in need. It’s a simple yet powerful way to make a difference in the lives of our neighbors during the holiday season. The distribution of toys is planned through the EC Area School District and all toys stay within the Ellwood City School system.

“We believe that your business’s participation in this initiative would greatly enhance its impact,” adds Schnell. “Your support can help brighten the holidays for countless children and families in our community. It is also an excellent opportunity for your business to give back and demonstrate its commitment to the well-being of Ellwood City.”

Here’s how your business can get involved:

Toy Collection: Set up our provided designated toy collection bin in your establishment where customers and employees can drop off new, unwrapped toys and gifts.
Monetary Donations: Consider making a monetary donation to the Hometown Holiday Toy Drive. These funds will be used to purchase additional toys and gifts to ensure that we meet the needs of every child.
Promotion: Use your business’s social media platforms, email newsletters, and physical signage to promote the toy drive. Encourage your customers and employees to participate and make a difference in the lives of local children.

By participating in the Hometown Holiday Toy Drive, local businesses will not only make a significant impact on our community but also receive recognition and gratitude from Ellwood City residents. Participants will have its generosity acknowledged through various channels, including website, social media, and local press releases.

Current Drop Off Locations for toys:

Busy Beaver in Franklin Plaza
Wesbanco-Franklin and Ellwood City
Posies by Patti
The Color Center
Air Physical Therapy
WendyDae Handmade
Johnny’s Pizza
T&M Hardware-Ellwood City
Fitzgibbon Meadery
Ellwood City Chamber of Commerce
EC Fire Department, Municipal Building, Public Works
Ellwood City Soccer Boosters will also be collecting toys

Toys will be collected through December 11, 2023 and the boxes will be picked up at business locations. The business may also deliver them to the Public Works Building. Everything will be sorted and distributed at our Public Works garage.

Toys will be distributed to local children from the age of six to 18.

If you’re wanting to donate but are wondering what is being accepted: New, unwrapped toys for really any age are appropriate. The toy drive helps families with children from kindergarten all the way to 12th grade. Also, if there are any smaller children in the family, we will do our best to help them out as well so really no toy is too young. We do accept monetary donations that would be used to purchase gift cards for some of the older kids if we do not have items suitable for someone in high school. We do encourage people to donate items that would be able to be used for older kids such as make up kits for older girls or hoodies for the boys.

If you would like to make a monetary donation, you may do so by sending your check made payable to: Ellwood City Chamber of Commerce.

Mail to: Ellwood City Borough
C/O Rhiannon Schnell
525 Lawrence Avenue
Ellwood City, PA 16117

If you would like to be a collection point for the toy drive or have any questions, please email rschnell@ellwoodcityborough.com

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