Monroeville couple continue toy-collecting tradition

This Santa Claus is about as real as it gets.

Pete Colangelo might not have a flying sleigh or workshop full of elves. And instead of the North Pole, he lives in Monroeville.

But each year, and he and his wife, Carol, make deliveries that put plenty of smiles on young faces.

For the 12th year, the Colangelos are collecting toys for distribution through UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Family Care Connection centers in Braddock, Rankin, Turtle Creek, Penn Hills, Lawrenceville and Mt. Oliver.

“For some of the kids, that’s the only toy they get,” Pete said.

The collection point is the Colangelo home, which turns into an illuminated wonderland for the holiday season, with a massive collection of decorations drawing an abundance of Christmastime visitors to 176 Edgemeade Drive.

“Since people started coming to the house, I figured, how can we make use of this and benefit somebody who really needs it? So we started putting out a bin and asking for toys,” Pete said. “We ask everybody not to wrap the present, so we know what’s for a boy or girl and what age.”

A sign next to the mailbox shows visitors where to place their donations, which will add to the 1,200 toys the Colangelos have collected and distributed over the years.

Decorating for the holidays pretty much is a full-year pursuit, at least for Pete. He spends quite a bit of the spring, summer and fall repairing decorations, light strings and particularly extension cords

“Just storing all this stuff takes quite a bit,” he said. “I store it in the attic, store it under the deck, store it in the shed and the garage. It’s everywhere.”

Items emerge from storage en masse starting the day after Halloween, and much like a postal worker, Pete is undeterred by the weather.

“Sometimes it’s 10 degrees out there, and I’m out there for two or three hours,” he said. “That’s pretty cold.”

Family members often drop by to lend a hand, while Carol takes care of decorating the home’s interior. Soon enough, everything is in place, usually including first-time additions.

“Every year, I buy at least eight or 10 new items to put in the yard,” Pete said. “I wait until the day after Christmas, and all the Christmas stuff is on sale.”

The former Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission executive director also worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for 34 years.

At age 85, he strives to keep active through the likes playing golf and regularly working out at his gym. Plus he estimates putting in 200 or so hours getting his yard ready for the holidays.

“This kind of keeps you young, too,” he said.

A “Pete and Carol Toy Drive 2022” gift registry can be viewed at www.amazon.com/registries/custom/27MYKBWUAFOHU/guest-view?fbclid=IwAR3YGRXjnMLXzVHYE8DB1kG32x16E1jYAmSbOHJC7BXjgtD4wRav4RUWn9w. Gifts or donations can be sent to Pete Colangelo, 176 Edgemeade Drive, Monroeville, Pa. 15146.