Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Elementary students support toy drive
Students helped draw and paint holiday scenes on donation boxes
Students from WCASD elementary schools helped decorate donation boxes for a community toy drive.
If you stop in at a WSFS Bank in Chester or Delaware county, chances are you will see West Chester Area School District (WCASD) student artwork on display. And those student artists hope that when you see their artwork, you will be holding toys.
The student artwork exists in the form of decorated boxes, and those boxes were placed at WSFS Banks to hold donations made to the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce’s (GWCCC) annual holiday toy drive.
Students from all 10 WCASD elementary schools helped draw and paint holiday themes and scenes onto the toy donation boxes – a program that is now in its fifth year between the district and the GWCCC. “WCASD teachers and their students look forward to this opportunity each and every year,” said David Ehrhart, the district’s supervisor of fine arts, world languages, and career education. “I’ve never seen such a fine display of craftsmanship and creativity.”
Chamber elves picked up the decorated boxes from the elementary schools and dropped them off at twelve WSFS Bank branches located from Devon to Downingtown. An additional donation box is also located in the lobby of the GWCCC’s office.
“We’re always so pleased to deliver these beautiful boxes to WSFS Banks,” said Dave Fairman, the director of membership for the GWCCC. “We hope this collaboration gives the students a sense of community and civic pride. The contribution of their fine artwork to this project will ultimately lead to spreading some holiday joy to children who are less fortunate.”
New, unwrapped items for children up to age 12 can be placed in the donation boxes at WSFS Banks now through Saturday, December 3. For a complete listing of box locations and for more information on the types of donations most appreciated, please visit the GWCCC’s website: GreaterWestChester.com.
The gifts that are collected will be presented to three local community organizations; the Care Center Foundation, the Charles A. Melton Arts & Education Center, and the Friends Association for the Care & Protection of Children.
“The Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to have the support and cooperation that comes from our outstanding relationship with the West Chester Area School District,” said Mark Yoder, president of the GWCCC. “Superintendent Jim Scanlon is a fine leader and advocate, and David Ehrhart is an actively engaged member of the chamber’s board of directors.
We value the opportunity to work together to help make the holiday season a little brighter for members of our community.”
New, unwrapped items for children up to age 12 can be placed in the donation boxes at WSFS Banks now through Saturday, December 3. For a complete listing of box locations and for more information on the types of donations most appreciated, please visit the GWCCC’s website: GreaterWestChester.com.