Coco’s Christmas helps area residents in need
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
Linda Harris, a volunteer from Washington, replenishes toys in the new toy room at LeMoyne Community Center in East Washington during Coco’s Christmas.
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
Stella Banas of Peters Township, a Coco’s Helper, shows some love to Coco himself as he wanders through LeMoyne Community Center in East Washington during Coco’s Christmas.
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
Volunteers replenish donations and shoppers browse for gifts for their families during Coco’s Christmas at the LeMoyne Community Center in East Washington.
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
Julia Solomon of Pittsburgh and Candy DeBerry, a professor from Washington & Jefferson College, volunteer to wrap gifts during Coco’s Christmas at LeMoyne Community Center in East Washington.
They started lining up Saturday morning.
By 9:45 a.m., in fact, a line stretched around the corner of East Washington’s LeMoyne Community Center. By mid-afternoon, there was still a line.
The people waiting outside the building were waiting to get into Coco’s Christmas, which distributes free items to families in need. It was estimated at least 1,000 families participated in 2016, and organizers reckoned at least that many would be taking part this year. Named for the 7-year-old Yorkshire Terrier of Joyce Ellis, the center’s executive director, Coco’s Christmas had participants moving through the building to different stations where they could have their pick of household goods, winter wear, crafts, diapers and more, and have their items gift-wrapped.
To add to the holiday cheer, Coco himself was there, decked in a Santa suit and quietly wandering around.
Participants could also choose new toys to fill stockings and place under trees, though there was a limit of six per person. Scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m., Ellis said no one would be turned away if they were in line at the scheduled closing time. Meals were also available for families, along with giveaways, cookies and, appropriately, cocoa.
Groups of 20 were let in at a time, and there were no questions about income or need.
“That levels the playing field for everyone,” said Ellis. While many Washington-area residents were there, people also came from Ohio and West Virginia. According to Selma Tansey, a LeMoyne center board member, one man said he was going to use a fishing rod he found to fish in Lake Erie.
“The community has been very generous,” Tansey said. “They really went out of their way.” The items were donated by businesses and purchased through cash contributions. Any items that were left over would be given to Washington City Mission.
Tansey also pointed out, given the scale of Coco’s Christmas, planning for the 2018 event will begin almost immediately after the books are closed on this year’s event.
“It really brings the community together,” said volunteer Joseph Dethomas.