Salvation Army Toy Giveaway in West Phila. Makes Children's Christmases Brighter
By Pat Loeb
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- More than 500 Philadelphia families fulfilled their children's Christmas wishes today with the help of the Salvation Army's annual toy giveaway.
One client, Brett, left looking like Santa Claus himself, a giant sack of toys on his back.
"The thing that amazes me," he said, "when we first came in and saw the magnitude of gifts and stuff that they have here to be given to the different families, we thought it was pretty nice. That's why we're glad we're a part of it. And they did help our family out."
Dolls and blocks, crafts and trucks, the gifts were arranged by age and gender on tables set up in the gymnasium at Salvation Army headquarters in the Wynnefield neighborhood of West Philadelphia.
Volunteers walked families around, helping them get the right gifts for each child.
"All we want is that every child in the Philadelphia area get a good gift," said Salvation Army major Hester Dixon (wearing red sweater in photo), who oversaw operations.
For Brett's family and many others, that mission was accomplished.
"When they're giving out stuff from the heart, you appreciate every little thing that you get," he said.
