Lackawanna County Sheriff’s Office and The Wright Center host 3rd Annual Toy Drive

SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA CO. (WOLF) — Sharing a little joy one toy at a time, the Lackawanna County Sheriff’s Office is once again stepping up to brighten the holidays for local kids.

It’s the third annual Toy Drive, supporting the Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement. Outside the main entrance of the Lackawanna County Courthouse, the community gathered to donate toys and drop off monetary donations, while also enjoying basket raffles.

For many children, unwrapping toys on Christmas morning creates lasting memories, but it can be costly for parents.

As The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement continues its work to strengthen community health through whole-person care and supportive programs, Director of Development & Relations for Community Outreach, Gereldine McAndrew, said the Sheriff’s Department’s toy drive is making a meaningful difference in their mission.

“It’s our third time we’re actually doing this with the Lackawanna County Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s office actually has donated $600 worth of toys to us. And what we try to do is have the drive here and have people donate. We have basket raffles to help community and patients,” said McAndrew.

As the community gathered with warm hearts on a chilly day, McAndrew reflected on the strong turnout and the generosity behind this year’s donations.

“The turnout has been better than last year because it was actually colder last year than it is today. We’re just hoping people come out more to help the other vendors and to come and maybe support us, bring a toy. Or they could adopt a toy, buy a toy here, donate, and fill up the van. And everybody’s having fun filling that up,” said McAndrew.

For McAndrew, the toy drive helps bring the magic of Christmas to life every year.

“Help parents, help grandparents, and help people to make sure everybody has a very well celebrated Christmas,” said McAndrew.

The Wright Center will distribute all toys to local families in the area and will hold its toy drive again on December 7 at Courthouse Square in Scranton.