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Holiday gift drive to benefit Hershey Ronald McDonald House
Students, staff support drive with gifts, donations
HARRISBURG, Pa – The Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School will once again hold a holiday gift drive to support the Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Central PA. The drive will run from now through Dec. 16.
Jade Kozlina, an instructional supervisor at the Harrisburg office and organizer of the gift drive, said this is the third year the school has supported the organization, which provides free, temporary housing to out-of-town families of seriously ill children hospitalized at Penn State Children’s Hospital in Hershey.
“The gift drive started as a project for the Harrisburg office to do something to give back to the local community,” said Kozlina. “Then last year we expanded to the whole school and got such a great response. We’re happy to give these children and their families a little piece of joy and happiness this holiday season.”
PA Cyber will collect new toys for boys and girls, and items for the families including food, supply items, and gift cards to restaurants, stores and gas stations. Monetary donations will also be accepted.
Debra Barry, community relations coordinator for RMHC of Central PA says thanks to these donations, “Parents do not have to worry about the increased costs of hotels and meals while struggling with their child’s serious illness or injury. And they share the compassion of others who are, sadly, going through similar circumstances.”
Last year PA Cyber collected $150 worth of gift cards, 14 boxes of food and supplies and 128 gifts for children ages infant to 18. This year, they are hoping to match, if not top, that.
“It’s important to remember though that we don’t have to spend a lot of money on these gifts,” Kozlina noted. “It is the thought that counts not the amount of money spent.”
The main drop off center is in the Harrisburg office, but donation boxes have been placed in every PA Cyber office across the state including Philadelphia, Wexford, and the main offices in Midland. “Students and families can also bring their donations to any Family Link event between now and Dec. 16 as well,” said Kozlina.
PA Cyber staff and administrators will deliver the donations to the Ronald McDonald House on Dec.18.
Family wish list:
Gift cards for food, supplies, restaurant meals, and gas purchase from places including: Kmart, Kams, Giant Eagle, Wal-Mart, Weis, Applebees, Bob Evans, Friendly's, Issac's, McDonalds, Staples, Sheetz, and Turkey Hill.
Single serving food items such as: cereal, chips, crackers, candy, cookies, microwavable foods, fruit juice, toaster pastries, breakfast bars, etc.
Supply items including: disinfectant spray, antiperspirant/deodorant, high efficiency laundry detergent (HE), disinfecting wipes, liquid hand soap, non-dairy coffee creamer, plastic spoons and forks, paper towels, tissues, toilet paper, paper plates and bowls.
*Please do not wrap the gifts
On the web: Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central PA http://www.ronaldshousehershey.org/