Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Students raised money and collect donations
Students raised money and collected donations for more than 450 families in need
CCIU students raised money and collected donations to help families celebrate the holidays.
DOWNINGTOWN >> Holidays can bring hope.
Students from all three Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) Technical College High School campuses and the Child and Career Development Center (CCDC) helped with the Holiday Hope Chest program, a charity event that provides a free day of shopping for Chester County families in need.
Holiday Hope Chest events were held at the Chester County Technical College High School (TCHS) Brandywine, Pennock’s Bridge and Pickering campuses, and at the Child and Career Development Center.
A total of 456 families, comprising of approximately 1,300 children, benefited from the event at the four locations. The overall value of all donated goods and money raised totaled more than $40,000.
“It is just so amazing to see our students take ownership of this event and give back,” said TCHS Pennock’s Bridge Principal Brian Hughes. “TCHS instills in our students a strong sense of community and to see them live that out by helping families who have fallen on hard times have a wonderful holiday season, that’s just incredible.”
Families in need are referred to the Holiday Hope Chest by community organizations who are then given a voucher to shop at the store. The shop sells new and gently used items such as toys, books, accessories, electronics and clothing.
“This was such a blessing. I got the one toy my son wanted that I couldn’t afford. Thank you,” said one parent who attended the CCDC event.
Hundreds of volunteers devoted their time on four Saturdays in November and December to set up for the event, assist the shoppers and to wrap presents for the families.
The majority of these volunteers were students who helped fundraise and collected donations.
“This event would not have been possible if not for the generosity of numerous community organizations and our staff who dedicate themselves to improving the lives of our students,” CCDC principal Susan Mateka said.
Event organizers said a highlight of the event was that bilingual students volunteered to assist shoppers who speak English as a second language.
They said that non-English speaking shoppers also appreciated having a student assist them by translating.
Patty Knecht, former director of the CCIU’s Practical Nursing Program and her husband Duane, who founded the program, noted a growth over the years.
“This is truly a dream come true and always the best Christmas present seeing all of the communities and all of the diverse volunteers come together,” Patty Knecht said.
The Holiday Hope Chest event was held at TCHS Brandywine campus on Nov. 26 and supported about 180 families with more than 100 volunteers. TCHS Pennock’s Bridge held its event on Dec. 3, supporting more than 170 families with more than 100 volunteers.
They raised more than $13,000 in donations. The CCDC’s Holiday Hope Chest event assisted more than 55 families on Dec. 9. TCHS Pickering held its event on Dec. 10 and served more than 40 families by more than 80 volunteers.
For more information about Holiday Hope Chest visit http://www.holidayhopechest.com/index.html.
“This is truly a dream come true and always the best Christmas present seeing all of the communities and all of the diverse volunteers come together” — Patty Knecht, former director of the CCIU’s Practical Nursing Program