Annual event brightens holidays
Judy Nemeth, Washington County director of victim services and public information, works with James Gast Jr., 2, of Washington while state Sen. Camera Bartolotta works with Jayvionna Ellis, 5, of Washington on Christmas crafts during Coco’s Christmas.
A shopper browses the options for toys at the Coco’s Christmas event Friday at Lemoyne Community Center. More than 1,000 people attended the event to get gifts for family members.
LeMoyne Community Center Executive Director Joyce Ellis explains how the Coco’s Christmas event works to those lined up outside the center before the doors open. The event included free food and gifts for those who attended.
From left, Debbie Szolek, Genessis Orozco, Rebecca Szolek and Becke Folkens of Washington stood in line for more than five hours before the doors opened for Coco’s Christmas. People lined the street of Forrest Avenue to wait their turn to get gifts, clothing and beauty items from the event.
Washington County District Attorney Gene Vittone gave a check for $6,000 from the county’s forfeiture fund to LeMoyne Community Center Executive Director Joyce Ellis for the purchase of security cameras.
Debra Gloster of Pittsburgh restocks the toy room at LeMoyne Community Center for Coco’s Christmas.
A one-person whirlwind, Joyce Ellis directed volunteers, greeted public officials and choreographed operations inside LeMoyne Community Center Friday. Outside, she helped distribute fliers with group assignments to the hundreds in a line that seemed to extend to Canonsburg.
This was Coco’s Christmas, and she wanted everything to be right. Her determination was rooted in her own experiences.
“I grew up poor,” said the center’s executive director, a Washington native. “I know what it’s like to starve, to struggle at Christmas. This is for anyone who comes up here.”
For the fifth December in a row, the center in Washington played host to the gift-giving event that began with a focus on kids and evolved into a community endeavor. Families who aren’t financially eligible for Toys for Tots and similar charitable programs at Christmastime may walk through the center and select donated gifts, at no charge.
An estimated crowd of 1,000-plus stood patiently in line, waiting for the proceedings to begin at 3 p.m. It was bitter outside – all of them could have used hot cocoa while awaiting Coco’s Christmas – yet they were warmed by the prospect of a better holiday.
Four Washington women – Genessis Orozco, Debbie Szolek, Rebecca Szolek and Becke Folkens – arrived at 10 a.m. A few others beat them there. As a crowd-control measure, participants were allowed in as small groups and had to complete their selections within prescribed gift and time allotments. (Those in the toy area, for example, had six minutes to select six items.)
There were new toys and gently used toys; new clothing, including much-needed winter gear; shoes; housewares; appliances; beauty items; diapers and gift cards. Even the LeMoyne center got a generous present: $6,000 for security cameras from the forfeiture money fund, courtesy of Washington County District Attorney Gene Vittone.
The event, named after Ellis’ adorable dog, attracted a mix of newcomers and local residents who had attended previously.
“I think its great they’re doing this for children in need,” Rebecca Szolek said.
She was accompanied in the toy area by Orozco, who has a keen appreciation of the event. “This is something really nice,” she said. “And they have everything for every age. This is not just for small kids.”
Patricia Davis of Washington likewise is a Coco’s veteran, who was looking for toys for boys. “This is very nice,” she said, filling a large bag with an item.
Robert Crone of Donora, a father of seven, was pleased with Coco’s Christmas selection. “It’s nice what they’re doing here,” he said. “They have a lot of nice things here.”
Ellis provided the crowd estimate, and that was only about 25 minutes after the doors opened. So there may have been more than 1,000 in line.
This has become a major project, one that requires soliciting, sorting, setting up and handling the various gift areas in and around the LeMoyne gym. Ellis needed about 100 volunteers this year. Vittone was but one of at least seven public officials on hand, most of whom likewise did volunteer duty.
But despite the buildup and intense preparations, Ellis is deeply gratified by what transpires on this day.
“It’s hassle-free and for families who don’t qualify,” she said. “Look what we have here. We’ve been thankful we’ve been able to replenish. We start new every year.”
One thing that rankles her, she said, is that certain big-box chains get rid of toys instead of distributing them to organizations such as hers.
“We have to get those toys,” she said. “Companies mark them down then throw them away. Why?!
“I want to tell them to work with me.”
Coco’s Christmas was scheduled till 6 p.m., but Ellis was concerned only a half-hour into the event.
“I’m praying we don’t run out of toys,” she said, mildly exasperated.
Chances are her prayers were answered.