LeMoyne Center’s Christmas Spectacular helps local residents in need celebrate Christmas
‘Tis the season for giving, and LeMoyne Community Center helped Washington families in need, providing free gifts for children at its Christmas Spectacular on Saturday.
The center, in Washington, was filled with families who shopped for toys, games, bicycles and clothes that they, in turn, can give for Christmas.
More than 200 families who registered for the annual event browsed among the rows of new toys – Legos, Hot Wheels sets, Barbies, baby dolls, bikes, Hungry Hungry Hippos and other games, and more – that had been donated throughout the year.
The day before, about 110 families whose children participate in the center’s Homework and More after-school program had picked up toys.
“We have a little bit of everything for kids of all ages to reach in and help the community. And everything is new because it is important to us that kids get new toys during the holiday,” said Executive Director Teresa Burroughs. “We spend all year collecting toys and store them for the Christmas Spectacular. We realize the need is so great and people are really having such hard financial times. This is such a benefit and a blessing to the community.”
Dozens of businesses, groups, individuals and community organizations throughout the county collected and dropped off toys throughout the year. LeMoyne staff members sorted and organized the toys, then set up the two-day giveaway event.
On Saturday, staff members, along with volunteers from Bible Chapel Washington and other groups served as shoppers to help families select toys.
Among those who shopped was “girl dad” Rudy Schutzeus of South Strabane Township, who chose toys for his daughters who are 6, 9 and 12.
Schutzeus, who suffers from dystonia, a neurological disorder that causes involuntary, repetitive muscle contractions, is recovering from brain surgery (a “brain pacemaker” was implanted in his chest to reduce the tremors and other movements), and the family’s home was badly damaged in April’s flooding event.
“Financially, we’ve been struggling. It’s been a very rough year, and I saw this advertised on Facebook and called right away,” said Schutzeus. “This is great. The girls are going to love what I picked out. I feel bad that I’m not able to work right now and that things are tight, but this is a blessing.”
Burroughs noted that more than 100 bicycles donated by the United Way through its Build a Bike event were distributed.
“This is really a community event where we’re donating love to the residents of Washington County, and the donations we receive are overwhelming. We have a lot of ‘secret angels’ I call them, who really give generously and collect all year long.”
Trish Johnson, program director at the center, said the event helps to ease the burden of struggling families.
“This is such a special way to give back to the community, especially knowing the need during this time of year, as far as bills, as far as food, as far as medical issues, it’s a struggle,” she said, “and at least this way, we can lighten their load a little bit at Christmas and make it a special time for the children.”