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thedrifter
12-23-08, 02:29 PM
Marines to the rescue: Missing toys replaced

By Chris Togneri
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, December 23, 2008


As usual, the Marines came to the rescue.

At Lincoln Park Community Center, the room next to Executive Director Joyce Davis' office, normally filled with toys was empty -- until the Marines stepped in this morning.

The community center had intended to provide 250 needy children with toys this Christmas, but a paperwork mix-up left the children empty-handed, officials said.

A Toys for Tots official read the story in the Tribune-Review this morning and called Davis at the Lincoln Park Community Center. The official told her they have toys to donate and promised to deliver them today.

Lincoln Park Community Center, and the Pancakes and Jesus Ministry in Penn Hills, requested the toys through the Marine Corps' Toys for Tots program.

The Rev. Spencer Simon, pastor of Pancakes and Jesus Ministry, said he ordered the toys online in November but learned a couple of weeks ago that the order was unfilled.

Davis and Simon don't blame Toys for Tots, saying they are a reliable partner in providing for the needy. But the error could not have come at a worse time, they said.

"I've seen some good times and bad times, and this is the worst I've ever seen," Simon said.

Chris Togneri can be reached at ctogneri@tribweb.com or 412-380-5632.

Ellie