More than 1,000 Children, Teens, Adults Volunteer at Family Service Association Holiday Drive

When Polly came through the Family Service Association’s Annual Holiday Drive, her eyes immediately filled with tears when we showed her all the wonderful donations from which she could choose gifts for her 6 and 8 year old daughters. “This is all for us?” she asked in amazement.   Polly told us she had no money for toys and was not expecting to celebrate the holidays this year. She took her time choosing just the perfect for toy for each of her daughters and was overjoyed with the books, stocking stuffers, and wrapping paper she received as well. 

I am so glad that Family Service has been there for my daughters as well as myself. I couldn't be happier and I feel so blessed by all the people that work so hard to make the holiday season brighter for so many families. I just wanted to write, and say thank you from the bottom of my heart! My children are going to be so happy when they wake up on Christmas morning....and I will know that there really are angels on this earth. God Bless everyone that gives there time, money and heart to so many people during the holiday season.

((Hugs to all))

Polly

For three days the Family Service community room was transformed into a toy store and over 1,000 children, parents and other individuals who are clients in various FSA programs received gifts for their holidays.  The donations came from over 50 businesses, community groups, civic organizations, and individuals in the Bucks County.

Each season Family Service distributes new toys and gifts to families involved in the various Family Service programs and this year that included the children and residents of the Bucks County Emergency Homeless Shelter. This year, participants picked toys, an unlimited number of books thanks to a book drive held by Newtown Friends School, scarves, hats and gloves donated by Langhorne American Legion Post #148, and new this year—stockings filled with small items for each child purchased with many gift cards donated by various organizations.   

“This year we had the most requests for help and I think the most donations from the community,” states Stephanie Sides, Communications Coordinator.  “We were able to help older kids, teens, and our seniors; traditionally age groups we struggle to help. It is heartwarming to see our community care enough to give their time, their money and their hearts to complete strangers.”

Volunteers from Central Bucks High School, Makefield Women’s Association, The Jones Group, William Penn Bank,

Charles River Laboratories and other individual volunteers sorted through hundreds of donations to organize the room to make the process quick and smooth process.  They then walked clients through the donation room, helping them “shop” and pack up their treasures to take home.