Toy drive, craft show planned at South Greensburg event center
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Patrons can browse among craft vendors while participating in a Stuff A Truck toy drive Sunday in South Greensburg.
The drive is set for noon to 4 p.m. at the recently opened Greensburg Event Center, 1700 Washington St. It is hosted by employees of the local office of Certasite, a company that supplies fire and security alarms, fire extinguishers and sprinkler systems.
Organizer Ashley Gross, an administrative assistant with Certasite, is encouraging area residents to fill her company’s box truck with unopened, unwrapped toys appropriate for toddlers through preteen kids. A photographer will offer two digital images posed with Santa or another holiday character for anyone who donates a toy.
In addition to 15 craft vendors, psychic readings for entertainment will be available.
Through collections by several area businesses that are partnering in the drive, Gross has gathered more than 300 items toward her company’s goal of contributing 1,000 toys to the Greensburg Marines Toys for Tots campaign.
“We’ve even had donations come all the way from Maine,” she said.
Other businesses have pitched in to help cover the costs of the Sunday drive or have provided gift cards and baskets for raffle prizes at the event.
“We’ve had an outpouring of support,” said Gross. “I never thought it would turn out to be this big. I’m beyond grateful.”
She said the Marines toy campaign is close to her heart since her husband, Stephen, is a Marine veteran, and her 16-year-old son, Logan, is interested in joining the military branch.
Combining a small craft show with the collection drive provided Gross a way to help others in addition to the children who will receive the toys.
“This year has been tough on so many people,” she said. “I started reaching out to craft vendors since a lot of others have used crafts to help supplement their income as the cost of everything keeps rising.”