PVEN distributes toys and other gifts to 217 families

Rows of tables were covered with toys, games, balls, puzzles, dolls, scarves, hats, gloves and stocking stuffers inside Christ Hamilton United Lutheran Church Tuesday and Wednesday.

“It’s my first time here. It’s a nice setup,” said Jessica Jones of Saylorsburg while shopping for her two sons.

This is the third year the church has hosted Pleasant Valley Ecumenical Network’s Christmas toy distribution. Before that, it was held at West End Fire Company for about two decades and at Salem UCC in Gilbert before that.

“We want to make sure everyone gets enough gifts for their families,” said Tom Campbell, PVEN’s 2018 president-elect.

This year, PVEN and its volunteers helped 217 families with gifts for 305 kids (up to age 17).

Seventy-five percent of the toys come from the U.S. Marines’ Toys for Tots drive. Others come from the Pocono Record’s Toys for Joy drive and PVEN’s Angel Trees placed at area churches and businesses, Campbell said.

“The Angel Tree is the heart of the program,” he said.

These toys and clothes were in a separate room and labeled for specific children to receive, based on angel tags that had hung on Christmas trees. Anonymous churchgoers and business patrons selected angels from the trees and purchased these items, which cost $50 or less. Parents had specifically requested these items.

Angel Tree participants received these gifts before entering the other room to choose their remaining items.

The number of toys each family can choose varies from year to year, depending on the success of the toy drives. This year, each child age 0-9 years old will receive 10 toys. Children age 10-17 will receive five toys.

“In addition to all that, all 305 kids will get a stuffed animal, puzzle, board game, mittens, hat, scarf and four stocking stuffers,” Campbell said.

Families had to sign up in advance and select a time to come shop. Only one parent was permitted inside the large room where the tables full of potential gifts awaited. Each person had a personal shopper, which is a volunteer from a local church or the community, accompany them to the various tables and carry their shopping bag. Tables were set up according to age groups and gender.

“This year is special because a bicycle program associated with Queen of Peace refurbished bicycles to look like new,” Campbell said.

Twenty-five bikes were spread out among the various tables. They ranged in size, color and decals.

The Notre Dame High School Jazz Band played Christmas songs on Tuesday evening, when distribution was geared toward working parents who could not make it to a daytime distribution, Campbell said.

PVEN was incorporated in 1989 by 16 local churches. It serves families in Chestnuthill, Hamilton, Jackson, Eldred, Ross and Polk townships. Its mission is to help those in time of crisis or need so they can rebuild their lives. Their primary focus is to provide families with food and their secondary focus is to provide clothing.

PVEN works with numerous agencies to refer people for help. For more information, visit www.pven.net.