CANONSBURG, Pa. — A Washington County organization is asking for help from the community after thousands of dollars of toys were damaged in last weekend’s flooding.
Lynlee Caliguiri, Toy Chest coordinator for the Canonsburg-Houston Ministerial Association, said the toys go to nearly 100 needy families each years.
Caliguiri said 2,000 kids have received toys through the Toy Chest Christmas toy drive since it was started in the early 1990s.
“We never want to hear of a Christmas where kids don't get toys under the tree,” she said.
The toys are stored at the Canonsburg United Presbyterian Church, where water rushed from a nearby creek and flooded the basement on Saturday.
Before Saturday, the toy storage room was packed with toys and bikes in preparation for the holidays. By the time the flood was over, the room had five-feet of water and an estimated $4,000-$5,000 worth of toys were destroyed. Caliguiri said workers were able to save some of the wrapping paper and a few things on the top shelves.
The church also had to replace two water heaters due to the flood. Additionally, the Boy Scouts and the church’s vacation Bible school lost items.
Caliguiri said monetary donations would be the most helpful to replace the lost toys.
“I really feel positive the community is going to reach out and support us, and I think we're going to be able to replace it and it will be a great Christmas again,” she said.
Anyone who would like to donate to the Toy Chest Christmas toy drive can call the Canonsburg United Presbyterian Church at (724) 745-0800.