PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh police offers made a big drop off of toys at East Liberty’s Eastminster Presbyterian Church Tuesday to help put a smile on the faces of children who lost parents to violence.
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“This is a way to give back and let them know he community cares about them,” said Pittsburgh police Officer Michael Gay.
This special delivery was made possible by an organization called Tree of Hope.
Tree of Hope was started 15 years ago by Adrienne Young as an effort to help support children who suffered traumatic losses of their parents.
“I lost my son in 1994,” Young said. “He left behind a baby girl.”
The program was created when Young’s granddaughter couldn’t get a toy from a local angel tree event.
When Tree of Hope began, it started with 90 children. Now, it’s up to 528.
“Some of these children haven’t smiled since they lost their parents,” Young said.
Young told Channel 11’s Brandon Hudson that it’s never too late for a child who lost a parent.
Tree of Hope plans to give out toys to over 200 children Friday at their annual toy giveaway.
WPXI
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