Toys for Tots distribution begins in Harrison as program struggles for donations

A Toys for Tots program serving part of the Alle-Kiski Valley began distributing gifts to needy families Monday, but could use more donations and some help to make sure children have a merry Christmas.

More than 630 families have signed up to receive toys from the Allegheny Valley Marine Corps League Detachment 827. The detachment serves communities in northeast Allegheny County, northwest Westmoreland County and all of Armstrong County.

While based in Springdale, the league is distributing toys for a second year from a donated empty storefront at Heights Plaza in Harrison. Distributing from there is easier because the space is one level, instead of two as in Springdale, and parking is also easier, said Andy Burch, the detachment chaplain.

Registration to receive toys ended on Monday, when about 250 were expected to pick up up bags of toys, said Jennifer Neilen, a volunteer and daughter of Toys for Tots coordinator Fred Neilen.

The remaining families will pick up their toys Dec. 9 and 12, she said.

Neilen said the detachment is struggling with donations this year because of the covid-19 pandemic, which caused many toy collection and donation efforts to be canceled.

Because many donors target younger children, Neilen said they are especially in need of new, unwrapped gifts for older boys and girls, ages 9 to 12. That could include lotions and nail kits for girls and wallets and colognes for boys, she said.

The detachment has an abundance of toys for boys in the 3-5 year age group.

Monetary donations in the form of checks made out to Toys for Tots will also be accepted, which the detachment will use to buy age-appropriate gifts.

The detachment could also use help with bagging and distributing toys.

“We were worried we wouldn’t have enough volunteers. We have a small Marine Corps League,” Neilen said.

Anyone interested in making a donation or volunteering to help can call 724-462-6998.