Agency gives away toys to needy
PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE CITIZEN Virginia Chevalier played Mrs. Claus at the toy giveaway organized by Lehigh Community Services.
Hundreds of youth and their families spent a festive Saturday last week with Lehigh Community Services as it gave Christmas toys to those children in need.
“It was a festive affair, very nice and a very enjoyable one,” Executive Director Charlotte Rae Nicely said, adding that the Conference Room at the Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Lehigh was full of fun.
“This program of giving away toys started when Liz Eilf was operating Lehigh Community Services years ago, and we have continued it,” she said. “It was a great thing she started.”
Toys had been neatly wrapped in a big bag for each child that qualified. Hundreds of smiles spread across the room as Mrs. Claus, played by Virginia Chevalier, showed up to join the fun. Chevalier said she calls herself “Mrs. Joyful Claus.”
Nicely said she appreciated the help from residents and various club members who donated money and toys to be given away.
“We had a list of those children who qualified. We purchased toys and matched them up with the appropriate age child,” she said.
“The excitement in the Microtel room was like Christmas morning. The kids were so happy and so were we that they were getting toys for Christmas,” Nicely added.
Lehigh Community Services handed out about 400 toys. There have been years when more toys were donated, but this year was at the top of the list, Nicely said.
Nicely noted that others were also handing out toys in Lehigh, including St. Raphael Catholic Church and Toys for Tots.
Nicely estimated that 1,500 or more children would receive toys this season from the groups.
“We all tried to make sure every kid was not forgotten. We tried to make sure that names were not duplicated among those who got toys,”?she said.
“There has always been a need for toys at Christmas in Lehigh and other places, all the way back to the beginning of Lehigh Community Services,” Nicely said. “We thank Liz Eilf, longtime director of the agency, for starting the program.”
Nicely and Assistant Director Carolyn Peplow went out and purchased toys themselves.
“You should have seen our offices over the past several weeks. It was a beehive of activity with our staffers and volunteers helping to wrap the gifts and put the names of the kids who were to get the toy on the package,” Nicely said.
“Our community is so generous, and they come through with their support for this toy giveaway program,”?she said. “We couldn’t do it without them.”
About 20 volunteers started working on the project in October.
Nicely said this was the third year that the event was held at the local Microtel Inn & Suites.
“They are so gracious in providing the room without any charge,” she said. “Judy Carter was here providing Christmas music.”
“It all was so great. It was a wonderful way for everyone to start their Christmas week,” Nicely said. “To think of such support from the community is so wonderful.”
Lehigh Community Services is at 201 Plaza Drive, Suite 3.
Agency gives away toys to needy
PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE CITIZEN Virginia Chevalier played Mrs. Claus at the toy giveaway organized by Lehigh Community Services.
Hundreds of youth and their families spent a festive Saturday last week with Lehigh Community Services as it gave Christmas toys to those children in need.
“It was a festive affair, very nice and a very enjoyable one,” Executive Director Charlotte Rae Nicely said, adding that the Conference Room at the Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Lehigh was full of fun.
“This program of giving away toys started when Liz Eilf was operating Lehigh Community Services years ago, and we have continued it,” she said. “It was a great thing she started.”
Toys had been neatly wrapped in a big bag for each child that qualified. Hundreds of smiles spread across the room as Mrs. Claus, played by Virginia Chevalier, showed up to join the fun. Chevalier said she calls herself “Mrs. Joyful Claus.”
Nicely said she appreciated the help from residents and various club members who donated money and toys to be given away.
“We had a list of those children who qualified. We purchased toys and matched them up with the appropriate age child,” she said.
“The excitement in the Microtel room was like Christmas morning. The kids were so happy and so were we that they were getting toys for Christmas,” Nicely added.
Lehigh Community Services handed out about 400 toys. There have been years when more toys were donated, but this year was at the top of the list, Nicely said.
Nicely noted that others were also handing out toys in Lehigh, including St. Raphael Catholic Church and Toys for Tots.
Nicely estimated that 1,500 or more children would receive toys this season from the groups.
“We all tried to make sure every kid was not forgotten. We tried to make sure that names were not duplicated among those who got toys,”?she said.
“There has always been a need for toys at Christmas in Lehigh and other places, all the way back to the beginning of Lehigh Community Services,” Nicely said. “We thank Liz Eilf, longtime director of the agency, for starting the program.”
Nicely and Assistant Director Carolyn Peplow went out and purchased toys themselves.
“You should have seen our offices over the past several weeks. It was a beehive of activity with our staffers and volunteers helping to wrap the gifts and put the names of the kids who were to get the toy on the package,” Nicely said.
“Our community is so generous, and they come through with their support for this toy giveaway program,”?she said. “We couldn’t do it without them.”
About 20 volunteers started working on the project in October.
Nicely said this was the third year that the event was held at the local Microtel Inn & Suites.
“They are so gracious in providing the room without any charge,” she said. “Judy Carter was here providing Christmas music.”
“It all was so great. It was a wonderful way for everyone to start their Christmas week,” Nicely said. “To think of such support from the community is so wonderful.”
Lehigh Community Services is at 201 Plaza Drive, Suite 3.
Business
Free LeeTran bus rides Monday
Bridge closure causing long traffic delays
