Play It Forward’s gently used toy giveaway attracts hundreds

HELPING HANDS—Volunteers Ebony Massy, Shiane Prunty, Rae Coleman and Shaniqua Gillespie helping Ashaa Fletcher with her gifts.
HELPING HANDS—Volunteers Ebony Massy, Shiane Prunty, Rae Coleman and Shaniqua Gillespie helping Ashaa Fletcher with her gifts.

Play it Forward Pittsburgh is something very special in the Western Pennsylvania region. The one-of-a-kind gently used toy drive collects tens of thousands of toys from hundreds of local Pittsburghers and then gives them away to families in need. Unlike other area toy drives, they collect gently used toys, the ones that kids have grown out of, but still have plenty of life left in them. Families were encouraged to volunteer and encourage their kids to give their toys to other local kids.
CYNTHIA CLARK getting her bag of gifts from volunteer Rae Coleman, right.
CYNTHIA CLARK getting her bag of gifts from volunteer Rae Coleman, right.

Hundreds of volunteers and thousands upon thousands of toys were given. Started by two working moms just a few years ago, Play it Forward has grown from a few thousand square feet school cafeteria in Braddock Hills to a 45,000 square feet pop-up storefront in the Century III mall.
STUFFED ANIMALS—Charisna Bottoms and Jamir Bottoms helped people find the right stuffed animals for their kids. (Photos by J.L. Martello)
STUFFED ANIMALS—Charisna Bottoms and Jamir Bottoms helped people find the right stuffed animals for their kids. (Photos by J.L. Martello)

 
GIVING AND RECEIVING—This young woman not only selected gifts for her family, but also gave back by volunteering.
GIVING AND RECEIVING—This young woman not only selected gifts for her family, but also gave back by volunteering.

 
MIA PATTERSON carrying gifts for the family.
MIA PATTERSON carrying gifts for the family.

Dozens of area businesses and groups were engaged, from a tattoo shop in Cranberry to a furniture store in Washington, Pa., to collect toys and then organize them all. Anyone in need was invited to give an old toy a new home.
 
BOXES OF TOYS
BOXES OF TOYS

 
LERIA FELIX helping to check items so everyone has a fair amount of toys.
LERIA FELIX helping to check items so everyone has a fair amount of toys.

 
FLOYD HUGHES, a volunteer, carrying bags of gifts for people.
FLOYD HUGHES, a volunteer, carrying bags of gifts for people.

 
LOOKING FOR HER GIFT
LOOKING FOR HER GIFT

 
HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE LINED UP OUTSIDE CENTURY III MALL
HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE LINED UP OUTSIDE CENTURY III MALL

 

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