Hundreds turn out for Pittsburgh fraternity's 26th annual Christmas toy giveaway

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Hundreds turn out for Pittsburgh fraternity's 26th annual Christmas toy giveaway

Shane Dunlap | Saturday, December 21, 2019 1:32 p.m.

Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review

Volunteer helper Devan Owens, of Philadelphia, a student at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, helps Kennedi Ford, 8, of Lincoln Park, with her toy and hot chocolate on Saturday at the 26th annual Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Christmas party and toy giveaway. It was held at the fraternity’s Iota Phi chapter in Larimer, Pittsburgh.

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.

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