CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The staff at the Children’s Home Society in Charleston got an early Christmas gift Monday. The Teamsters Local 175 delivered a tractor trailer filled with toys and non-perishable food to the Davis Child Center.
The Children’s Home Society provides emergency youth shelters, foster care and adoption services
This is the 13th year the Teamsters have donated to the Society. In 2011 they collected $10,000. In 2012, that increased to $15,000. This year, Teamsters Local President Ken Hall said they raised more than $17,000 for children all over the state.
“I have to tell you that I am incredibly proud of our members because year after year we continue to break our own record,” Hall said.
The staff at the Children’s Home Society were like kids on Christmas morning as they helped unload the truck. It took nearly a hour to do so.
Scott Foley, a regional director with the Society, said the toys and food the Teamsters provide makes all the difference.
“We’re able to reach so many needy children and families, not only the ones that we help with the Children’s Home Society, but also those out in the community,” explained Foley.
The staff at the Society will spend most of the week sorting through the donations and then deliver the items on Friday and Monday. Foley said it’s amazing to watch the children when they walk into the room.
“Their little faces just light up. It just warms our hearts to see their smiles, their glowing little eyes,” according to Foley.
The Teamsters said they were able to make their money go further with help from two partners. They purchased the food at Save-a-Lot and the toys at Big Lots. Both offer discounts.
Hall explained they’re just as excited as the kids to be part of the program.
“We’re making sure that children who otherwise wouldn’t have a Christmas present are going to have presents. That’s what motivates our members.”
Hall said they plan to break this year’s record in 2014.