PITTSBURGH — The parents of a 2-year-old boy who was fatally mauled when he fell into the wild African painted dogs exhibit at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium last year have renewed a toy drive in his name.
Elizabeth and Jason Derkosh marked the one-year anniversary of their son Maddox's death on Monday by announcing "Trucks for Maddox" will continue this year.
In a brief statement, the Derkoshs said their son “would be so happy to know” that the holiday effort to benefit Christmas charities is growing.
“It is not possible to express our deep sense of loss one year after the death of the joy of our life, Maddox,” Elizabeth and Jason Derkosh said in the written statement, calling their son “thoughtful of others beyond his tender years.”
“He is in our thoughts and prayers every day,” they said.
More than 5,000 toy trucks were donated in the boy's name after he died last November. The family donated the trucks to be distributed to needy children at Christmas.
The family hopes at least 5,000 more trucks will be donated again this year, and has set up a website where people can information on how and where to donate.
The campaign is more formal this year, with drop-off boxes at more than two-dozen local organizations and businesses. Four organizations in the Philadelphia area will accept donations through the holiday season.
“Maddox loved to share, and loved construction trucks,” said Megan LeFebvre, a spokeswoman for the Trucks for Maddox nonprofit group led by the Derkoshes. “Liz and Jason saw an opportunity where they could help children in need while keeping Maddox's memory alive through the charity.”
A list of drop-off locations, including all Pittsburgh fire stations, St. Bernard Church in Mt. Lebanon and Shaler North Hills Library in Glenshaw, is posted at TrucksForMaddox.org. Drop-off bins will be available through Nov. 30, though donations are always welcome, LeFebvre said.
Charities slated to receive the contributions include Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Catholic Charities of Pittsburgh and the Watson Institute, LeFebvre said.
Channel 11’s news exchange partners at TribLIVE and The Associated Press contributed to this report.