NEWS INFORMATION FROM

THE OFFICE OF MAYOR STEPHEN R. REED
City of Harrisburg
King City Government Center
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1678
Telephone: 717.255.3040

FOR IMMEDIATE USE
17 November 2003

CITY LAUNCHES NEW TOY AND CHILDREN’S COLD WEATHER CLOTHING DRIVES

Harrisburg, PA—Providing new toys and cold weather clothing for disadvantaged city youth are the goals of the City of Harrisburg’s annual holiday activities, Mayor Stephen R. Reed announced today in launching the city’s annual new toy and cold weather clothing collection drives. The new or like-new condition items may be dropped off at the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation offices in the Rev. Dr. M.L. King City Government Center, or at the Reservoir Park Mansion offices.

Mayor Reed said the city has conducted the charitable drives for many years, with the recipients coming from disadvantaged homes in the city. Children in need are identified through their participation in the city’s various after-school and other programs. Thousands of children have received the free gifts and clothing over the many years the drives have been conducted.

“Cold weather clothing is a particularly important need for many of our poor and disadvantaged youth,” said Mayor Reed. “Many families simply cannot afford to buy new winter outerwear for their children.

“We think it also important that some joy be brought into their lives on Christmas morning, which is why the annual new toy drive is also conducted by the city. Most American children receive literally dozens of presents each Christmas season. So it would shock most to know that in Harrisburg, and in communities throughout the midstate and nation, thousands of children have felt the pain of little to nothing under their trees, assuming they even have trees, because their parents or guardians simply had no funds for anything beyond living expenses.

“We as a community can and should change this.”

The Mayor said the city is now accepting good, new or like-new condition cold-weather clothing, including coats, jackets, gloves, mittens and scarves. Items for infants, small children, elementary school-age kids and early teens are especially needed. The city is also accepting new toys, preferably still in their packages to ensure safety and the distinctiveness of the gifts.

Interested donors should contact the city Department of Parks and Recreation at (717) 233.7403, or at (717) 255.3020 if they want to learn more about the charitable drives.

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