Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Holiday Hope Chest brings joy to 600 disadvantaged families
Students, staff of TCHS collected more than $40,000 in cash and goods to help those in need
The holidays of 650 families were made a little brighter thanks to the students and staff of the Chester County Technical College High School (TCHS) and the Child and Career Development Center. Students and staff from these Chester County Intermediate Unit operated schools collected more than $40,000 in cash and goods as part of the annual Holiday Hope Chest, a charity event that provides a free day of shopping for Chester County residents in need.
Holiday Hope Chest events were held in four locations, including: TCHS Brandywine Campus in Downingtown, Pennock’s Bridge Campus in West Grove and Pickering campus in Phoenixville, and the Child and Career Development Center in Coatesville.
Hundreds of volunteers devoted their time on Saturdays in November and December to set up the event, assist shoppers, and wrap presents for the families. The majority of the volunteers were students, who didn’t just help to fundraise and collect donations, but also donated their time to make sure the event ran smoothly and was enjoyable for participating families.
“Holiday Hope Chest is a great opportunity for TCHS to give back to the communities it
served. Everyone involved is excited and thrilled to serve the community in this way,” said Brian Hughes, principal of the TCHS Pennock’s Bridge campus. “TCHS instills in our students a strong sense of community. To see them (students) live that out by helping families who have fallen on hard times have a wonderful holiday season, that’s just incredible,” said Hughes.
Families in need are referred to the Holiday Hope Chest by community organizations and are then given a voucher to shop at the Holiday Hope Chest
store, which consists of new and gently used items such as toys, books, accessories, electronics and clothing.
Patty Knecht, former director of the CCIU’s Practical Nursing Program and her husband Duane who founded the program, have seen tremendous growth over the years.
“The CCIU has really been instrumental in making the event a success,” said Knecht. “It is truly community helping community with one of our focuses being community coming together.”
Families participating expressed their appreciation.
“This was such a blessing,” said one parent who attended the Holiday Hope Chest at the Child and Career Development Center in Coatesville. “I got the one toy my son wanted and that I couldn’t afford. Thank you.”
According to Christyn Dodla, a social worker at the CCDC, “Every family was super kind, and excited
about the event and were amazed with the variety of objects available.”
The Holiday Hope Chest event was held at TCHS Pennock’s Bridge on Dec. 1, supporting more than 215 families with over 120 volunteers. The CCDC’s Holiday Hope Chest event assisted over 74 families on Dec. 8. TCHS Pickering held their event on Dec. 9 and served more than 40 families and had over 80 volunteers. The Holiday Hope Chest event was held at TCHS Brandywine campus on Dec. 16 and supported about 180 families with more than 100 volunteers.
The Chester County Intermediate Unit is an educational service agency that exists to provide quality,
cost-effective services to the community and its residents. The Chester County Intermediate Unit administers instructional, enrichment and administrative programs and services to Chester County’s 12 public school districts and to over 45 private and parochial schools in the county. These programs include instructional, remedial and enrichment services for regular and special education students. Other IU services support teachers, school administrators and school directors. The diversity of CCIU programs enables IU staff to interact with school district personnel at all levels and to maintain a cohesive educational network throughout Chester County.