Toys for Tots is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, and thanks to a lot of caring people in Plum, the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve-led nonprofit is benefiting substantially.

Plum Senior High School’s eighth annual Toys for Tots Toy Drive took place the evening of Dec. 7, with donations from the community adding up to brightening the holidays for a couple of thousand youngsters.

Volunteers from throughout the student population assisted in collecting toys as they were dropped off, and some coordinated activities such as crafts and face painting.

“They do a fantastic job putting it all together, and at the end of the day, it’s just an awesome event,” Michael Devine, Plum Borough School Board president, said. “All year, but especially around the holidays, it’s good to see the kids coming together and doing kind things for other people.”

Shari Klein, administrative assistant at the high school, has organized the drive since its start. She expressed praise for the students’ participation, with a special mention for those in the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, instructed by retired Col. Paul Nosek and Master Sgt. Kevin Butler.

“They’re very involved, and their students are involved. I couldn’t do it without them,” Klein said.

She also acknowledged the support the effort received from throughout the school district and the community at large, with Plum’s police, fire and emergency services contributing substantially to the effort. A highlight of the Dec. 7 event, in fact, took place when various emergency vehicles arrived at the school to deliver toys that had been collected at various sites.

Those who attended were treated to goodies from Nothing Bundt Cakes, cookies from Crumbl, popcorn, hot chocolate and — ’tis the season! — candy canes.

Plum’s toy drive is held in collaboration with Rachel’s Challenge, a districtwide effort to promote acts of respect, kindness, and compassion. The international program is based on the life and writings of Rachel Joy Scott, who was the first victim of the 1999 shootings at Columbine High School in Colorado.

For more information, visit www.pbsd.net/RachelsChallengePBSD.aspx.

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