About Debra Utterback

Debra Utterback 412-324-1403
Editor
Sewickley Herald

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Season of Giving

Season of Giving is the Sewickley Herald’s holiday project. In an effort to help guide individuals and families have a brighter season, the Herald will offer information on area organizations needing help this season.

Because of economic conditions, families are having an even greater difficulty paying for necessities, such as utilities, mortgages or rent and meals. The added costs during the holidays make it even harder for some financially.

Week one: Toys for Tots

Learn more about the Beaver County Toys for Tots program, which also serves the West Hills and Sewickley Valley, by clicking here .

Toy donations

Donations of new toys for children from infants to age 13 can be made to support the Beaver County Toys for Tots campaign at the following locations:

• Cochran Hose Fire Co., 601 Thorn St., Sewickley

• Curves, 24 Beaver St., Leetsdale

• Leetsdale Fire Department, 373 Beaver St., Leetsdale

• Prudential Preferred Realty, 421 Broad St., Sewickley

In addition, monetary donations can be mailed to Toys for Tots, Cora Pucci, 651 Glenwood Ave., Ambridge, PA 15003-2446.

Clothing donations

Donations of clothing can be made at any of the following locations:

• Center for Hope clothes closet, 740 Park Road, Ambridge. Gently used clothing in good condition is accepted. Donors are asked to call first. For information, call 724-251-4899.

• Side-by-Side, St. Stephen’s Church, 405 Frederick Ave., Sewickley. Gently used children’s clothes — from newborn to size 18 — and shoes accepted. For information, call the church at 412-741-1790 or e-mail sbs@ststephenschurch.net.

• St. Vincent de Paul drop-off boxes, St. James Church, 200 Walnut St., Sewickley. Coats especially are needed. For information, call 412-741-1790.

Food donations

Donations of food and other non-perishable items can be made at any of the following locations:

• Borough of Leetsdale Fire Department, 373 Beaver St., Leetsdale. For information, call 724-266-4820.

• Neville’s Ark Food Bank, 1305 State and Chestnut streets, Coraopolis. For information, call 412-264-4551.

• Sewickley Community Center, 15 Chadwick St., Sewickley. To donate, visit the center between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Wednesdays or call 412-741-5430 to set up a drop-off time.

Items must be nonperishable and in containers that are not made of glass.

Daily Photo Galleries

Friday - May 17, 2013

Sewickley Photo Galleries

Photos: Grandparents and special friends visited Sewickley Academy

Christmas is the ideal time to spread the love and joy of the season and help those who are less fortunate.

Everyone deserves to experience comfort and happiness during the holiday season. Families shouldn't have to worry about whether they have enough food to put on the table or whether the children will stay warm during the winter or be able to experience the sheer joy of toys at Christmas.

That's why the Sewickley Herald is launching the “Season of Giving” series to help guide individuals and families to where they can go to help others this holiday season and throughout the year.

Because of economic conditions, families are having an even greater difficulty paying for necessities, such as utilities, mortgages or rent and meals.

The added costs during the holidays make it even harder for some financially.

However, a number of local and regional organizations are ready to step in to help provide some relief — thanks to the generosity of people who donate.

For the next three weeks, the Herald will focus on places where families can donate food, toys, clothing or money to help other local families in need.

The Union Aid Society in Sewickley, for example, is accepting monetary donations and has set up Christmas trees in locations through the Village to collect gift cards so parents can purchase needed items for the holiday for their family.

Also, the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program is busy collecting new toys and donations this Christmas for children as a simple message of hope.

A nearby distribution center is located in Ambridge.

Food pantries in Sewickley, Leetsdale and Coraopolis are seeking household supplies and non-perishable items, ranging from toilet paper to canned spaghetti sauce, to help make sure there's ample food for local families this winter.

Clothing drives and distribution sites also are in place at local churches and organizations, such as the Center for Hope in Ambridge, to help provide needed clothing to individuals and families who can't afford to shop at the mall.

While recognizing the local needs, schools and organizations also are reaching out to victims of Superstorm Sandy this holiday season, collecting blankets, clothing and other necessities to help those in New York City and other areas.

The Quaker Valley School District is accepting financial donations to its Quaker Valley Cares campaign for the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund through Jan. 7 for the storm victims.

We are fortunate to live and work in such a wonderful community with an outpouring from people to help others.

It truly is a Season of Giving.

Debra Utterback is an editor for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 412-324-1403 or dutterback@tribweb.com.

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