Ford City Lions King Lion Brad Baillie announces the winner of annual toy drive.
by Jonathan Weaver
A school bus full of toys drove from Armstrong Junior-Senior High yesterday afternoon, and those will eventually be sorted for children in-need this holiday season.
The bus was full of toys collected by Armstrong and West Shamokin Leo Club students during the annual “Joe Alese Toy Drive.”
Armstrong Co-Advisors Erin Burkett and Lauren Craig said the student organization started collecting toys about two weeks ago and had a major impact.
“(The bus) had the first four seats filled with toys from West Shamokin and then we basically filled the rest of the bus with toys from (Armstrong),” Craig said. “We had over 300 toys.”
Toys were lined and stacked against the front wall of Burkett’s classroom until now.
“These kids are awesome!,” Burkett said. “We are the second-largest organization in the school – Student Council has just a few more members than we do.”
Both women estimated there are about 115 Armstrong Junior-Senior High students involved in the organization.
Many of the club officers said it did not take any extra effort to give back to the toy drive – which benefits the Kittanning Salvation Army toy distribution December 23.
It was the first collection for freshman Emily Hopper – who shopped on “Black Friday” for Matchbox cars, a Barbie doll and a Mr. Potato Head with her mother, Anna.
“I just thought it would be a fun thing to do to get some good opportunities to give back to the community,” Hopper said.
Junior Vice-President Owen Zablocki brought in four-or-five variety packs of cars – more money than last year but of which he paid without a second thought.
“It’s just about the thought of buying toys for people that need them,” Zablocki said.
Senior Co-President Taylor Relich also donated to the Student Council gloves, hat and scarves drive this season.
“I’m in a lot of clubs, but I thought this was a very good club to join because it’s helpful to the community and I like to do that in my free time as it is,” Relich said. “It’s a way to give back.
“It’s very nice that you can help children in need. Some people just aren’t as fortunate. I, myself, have always had presents on Christmas, so I could never think not to have any.
“Our school’s pretty good at giving gifts around Christmas.”
Craig, an eighth-grade Learning Support teacher, also praised the student leaders.
“We have a really great group of kids to work with and the officers are really great to be with and work with, and they really help us advisors get done what we need to get done,” Craig said.
Carla Alese’s father, Joe, started the toy drive more than 20 years ago. She thanked Leo Club students and community supporters for their generous toy and monetary donations to continue the Christmas tradition.
It was Carla Alese’s father who started the toy drive more than 20 years ago.
“I’m really honored and appreciative that everyone still does this in honor of my dad,” Carla said. “It really makes me feel good that the high school students take time to do this and help.”
Carla’s neighbors in Indiana, as well as local organizations and churches, also donated toys so far. She especially wanted to thank Sue Girardi, Cheryl Lane McKillop, Bret Atwood at the Shellhammer Atwood insurance agency in West Kittanning, Armstrong Lock and Security in Kittanning and NexTier Bank for their cash donations.
Salvation Army Lieutenant Amber Imhoff said there are more than 600 children who registered for gifts this Christmas, but emergency sign-ups continue the next few weeks.
“My phone is still ringing, and that number will continue to go up through Christmas Eve,” Lieutenant Amber said. “I don’t have the heart to say ‘no.’
She estimated about 90 children still need to be adopted before the toy distribution. About a dozen local businesses still have tags available.
Ford City Lions Club members also praised the students
Ford City King Lion Brad Baillie has been in-charge of the toy drive about six years. He said Joe Alese’s thoughtfulness and wisdom helps him keep the spirit of Christmas.
“The (students) bringing in the toys is what Christmas is all about,” Baillie said. “Its Christmas time, the kids stepped up and did what was asked of them to do and hopefully it helps them out in the future as adults.
“As long as I’m a member, there will be a toy drive.”
Ford City Lion Tyson Klukan was also a Leo Club member at Ford City High. He and fellow Lion Cody Atherton adopted a three-member family, as well as Brad and his wife, Lisa, did.
“It’s really fun to give somebody you never met a gift, but it’s really going to make an impact to them Christmas Day,” Klukan said.
The regional car club Cruel Obsession also collected toys for the Lions Club.
Club President Jason Peters estimated he alone spent about $75 in toys from Lincoln Logs to remote-controlled cars.
“I just wanted to do something to help the community. Some kids really need it this year, so I figured ‘Who better to give it to?,” Jason said.
Jason’s nine-year-old daughter, Madison also collected more than $200 in Baillie’s Pitt-themed Santa hat.
A group of Armstrong Junior-Senior High Leo Club members and Ford City Lions Club members gave hundreds of toys, as well as hundreds of dollars, to the Kittanning Salvation Army to help with their upcoming Christmas distribution.