Hundreds turn out for Pittsburgh fraternity's 26th annual Christmas toy giveaway
Hundreds of families gathered Saturday in a line outside of the fraternity center of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity’s annual Christmas party and toy giveaway.
The event has been hosted by the Iota Phi (Pittsburgh) chapter of the international fraternity for 26 years.
The party in Pittsburgh’s Larimer neighborhood included a live band, train display, free hams, refreshments, toy distribution — and a photo with Santa Claus. Toys for all ages were brought in from individual donations or as part of the Toys for Tots toy drive.
Committee Chairman Hassan Shariff said he expected to make a run to a store to buy more toys by the end of the event, which ran from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“I’m making sure I get enough,” Shariff said. “We’re trying to service as many people as possible.”
Families could also sign up for a free raffle to win a PlayStation 4, one of four bicycles or one of three hoverboards.
Shane Dunlap is a TribLive photographer covering Westmoreland and Allegheny counties. He grew up in the Ohio Valley near Pittsburgh and has worked for newspapers as far away as Fayetteville, N.C., where he covered the U.S. Army at Fort Liberty. He can be reached at sdunlap@triblive.com.
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