This time last year, the American Rescue Workers in Hollidaysburg were struggling with donations. This year, they are overflowing with extra goodies to give away.
“Last year we were scrambling at the end of the season trying to get everybody covered,” said co-director Deborah LaValla. “This year, we’ve had a great, generous outpouring to get our children covered. And so all of our kids have been covered and we have a few more gifts that are coming in today and then everybody will be taken care of for Christmas on our list.”
Clothes, toys, household items, linens, shoes, and coats… all leftover donations after already 230 kids and 200 seniors were covered for Christmas.
“We have many wonderful things,” LaValla said. “Some new, some gently used items that have been donated this year, and we really didn’t want them sitting in the warehouse over the holidays if someone has need of them, so we decided we would have a giveaway.”
The American Rescue Workers will open their warehouse on Scotch Valley Road in Hollidaysburg Tuesday night from 5 to 8 p.m. (for adults only) to pick out gifts they might need.
“We want people to come in, take what they need and wish them a Merry Christmas.”
Plus, there is no limit. Whatever fits in your garbage bag, you can take home. LaValla said it’s all thanks to a wonderful community.
“This community is a loving, generous, caring community,” she said. “It really just touches my heart how much people want to help one another. It’s a blessing. It’s a blessing for us to be able to do what we do and we couldn’t do it without our donors, and so we really appreciate everyone.”