Christmas Toy Store 12/15/12
The Andrew L. Hicks, Jr. Foundation 3rd Annual Toy Store in Chester was made possible through the heroic efforts of so many people. Two HHS students, Jordan McCool and Marisa Maratea, along with a Rustin HS senior, Ashley Rundell and a sophomore at Strath Haven High School, Claire Wolters, combined their energy and collected over 1,300 toys! Just several days before the actual Toy Store, the total number of toys was less than 700, but the girls did not quit and the donations kept coming in. We are so grateful!
The girls worked together with some helpful adults to sort, price and pack the toys into a 14′ U-Haul truck which acted as Santa’s sleigh! All the toys were priced between $1 and $5 so that at the Toy Store, the children would be given $10 in play money and the opportunity to choose their own toys.
On Saturday, December 14th the kids set up the Andrew L. Hicks, Jr. Foundation Toy Store at the Boys and Girls Club of Chester and invited all the children who participated in the Biddy Basketball League to come in after their basketball game and shop. The store stayed open all day and over 250 children, ages 6-12 came through and were dazzled at the incredible assortment of toys which were available.
Each Chester child was given their play money and assigned a high school student or adult (with a little kid’s heart) who acted as their personal shopper. The most popular toys were basketballs, footballs, Barbie Dolls, arts and craft kits, Legos, remote control vehicles, scooters and games. Also available were 80 stockings, made by the Meehan Family, packed with stocking stuffers, and also some hats, gloves and scarves, collected by Matt Whoriskey.
After the children were finished shopping they moved over to the wrapping station and had all of their gifts wrapped up with beautiful Christmas wrapping paper by our volunteer wrappers. While all of this wrapping was going on, the children ate some Christmas snacks and drank some hot chocolate with their personal shoppers.
It was an amazing day and was only possible because of the incredibly generous support of the entire West Chester community as well as friends from out of town who had gifts shipped in! None of it would have happened without the tireless support of the many volunteers who organized, set up, shopped, wrapped and cleaned up as well.
Special thanks:
Chester Boys and Girls Club
Chester Biddy Basketball
Salon 7
Westminster Presbyterian Church
“The Cove”
West Chester Golf and Country Club
In Motion Physical Therapy
Arianna’s Gourmet Cafe
Avante Salon & Spa
Market Street Grille
Landmark Americana
