Community rallies to save toy drive in Pittsburgh's Hill District
The multi-purpose room at the Thelma Lovette YMCA in Pittsburgh’s Hill District neighborhood resembled Santa’s workshop on Wednesday.
Elves — volunteers, actually — helped adults choose toys for their little ones. There were piles of games and books, Barbies and baby dolls and trucks, ready to be wrapped for Christmas morning.
But the festive scene almost didn’t happen.
This fall, the UPMC Mathilda H. Theiss Health Center in the Hill District had been collecting toys like it has done for years. On Thanksgiving Day, a roof leak damaged the building and ruined the toys that had been collected.
When word got out, new donations started to roll in.
“That is what Pittsburghers do,” said Dr. Jonathan Yadlosky, the health center’s medical director.
He stood outside the multi-purpose room in awe of the response. They needed a bigger space than their office, which hasn’t been reopened because of the damage — and because the amount of toys donated grew 10-fold.
Their neighbor, the Thelma Lovette YMCA, welcomed them, Yadlosky said.
“We felt down on our luck and this right here is a silver lining,” he said. “We wanted to keep this tradition going and losing all those toys affected us emotionally … but the support from the community has been amazing. There are so many good people in this world.”
Angel Dixon, a mother of five who lives in the Hill District, said she was worried about not having presents under the tree for her children on Christmas morning.
“This is great,” Dixon said as she clutched the toys for her kids, aged 12 and under. “This is awesome for families in need. It is very helpful. It is truly a blessing.”
A blessing indeed, agreed Kayla Roberson, a mom of six who also lives in the Hill District. She was in search of games and building toys.
“This helps tremendously,” said Roberson. “The kids will be surprised. This is amazing what they are doing. There is so much positive energy here. There is no judgment.”
Organizers said they will help nearly 600 children, aged 15 and under. People were lined up outside for hours. They also gave out coats, blankets, hats, gloves, formula and diapers.
Yadlosky said he got so many calls, including one from Carnegie Mellon University professor Priya Narasimhan, offering help. Assistance came from the University of Pittsburgh Community Engagement Center and Macedonia FACE, a faith-based non-profit community outreach organization nearby. Local firefighters pitched in. Eiseman’s Garage in Bethel Park contributed.
”Everybody wanted to help,” said Jessica Magnu, community engagement coordinator and a registered dietitian at the health center. “People were just dropping things off. There were so many emails and so many phone calls. People from within the UPMC system, people within the Hill District. Everyone was like, ‘What can I do? What do you need?’ People came in this morning and said, ‘We know we’re late. We just wanted to drop off.’ There are so many families and yes, one little toy makes a huge difference.”
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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