Rep. Santora kicks off reelection with toy drive
U.D. state representative helps needy in community as holidays near
UPPER DARBY» State Rep. Jamie Santora, R-163 of Drexel Hill, officially kicked off his re-election campaign on Sunday by getting into the holiday spirit and collecting toys for the less fortunate.
Santora made appearances with Santa Claus at Anthony’s Ristorante in Drexel Hill and Clifton Heights Fire Company to get a healthy jolt on his re-election toy drive which will benefit his constituents over the four municipalities he serves – Aldan, Clifton Heights, Upper Darby and Haverford.
“I can raise money with my team anytime and I will do that, but when you want to do something for the community that’s what really means something,” Santora said about how he’s starting his campaign for a third term as representative. “I felt that this was the right time of year to do it. I didn’t want to do it earlier, I just wanted to get right into the Christmas season.
“We have a list of families that need gifts.”
A bounty of gifts piled around the Christmas Tree at Anthony’s in the hour that Santora was there. He was joined by his family and Upper Darby Mayor Tom Micozzie. A little bit later, no time was wasted at Clifton Heights Fire Company where the presents kept coming in.
Santora has regularly done smaller toy drives with friends and families, but this was the first year he went public with it. He is trying to collect things for persons of all ages, not just the youngest of his constituents, as seen by the stack of gift cards the drive has received so far.
“Everything is going to stay in the 163rd (House district), anything that’s left over will be donated to Toys for Tots,” he said. “It’s not about a certain age group, it’s about helping families.”
Collections of donated, unwrapped gifts will continue throughout the week at Anthony’s Ristorante. Donations will not be accepted at Santora’s Drexel Hill or Clifton Heights government offices. For more information on the drive by way of making a donation or to ask for help with acquiring gifts, visit the Jamie Santora for the 163rd Facebook page or send an email to jsantora109@ gmail.com.
“I felt that this was the right time of year to do it. I didn’t want to do it earlier, I just wanted to get right into the Christmas season.” — State Rep. Jamie Santora, R-163 of Drexel Hill on how he’s starting his campaign