LVHN employees donate 'truckload of happiness' to Salvation Army's Angel Tree project

Ron Devlin, Republican & Herald, Pottsville, Pa.
·2 min read

Dec. 3—POTTSVILLE — Shopping bags and cardboard boxes overflowing with Christmas gifts were loaded onto a Salvation Army truck Friday afternoon at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill E. Norwegian Street.

Donated by hospital employees, the gifts filled a 24-foot Penske box truck to the tailgate.

"There goes a truck load of happiness," remarked M. Michael Peckman, LVHN-Schuylkill public affairs director.

The gifts were gathered under the Salvation Army's Angel Tree project.

For about a month, employees at LVHN's two Pottsville hospitals and Physicians Group fulfilled wishes from about 150 children registered for the program.

Among the items donated were 18 bicycles; four electric scooters; scores of toys; winter coats; and pajamas.

The project was organized by the hospital's colleague engagement committee, co-chaired by Amy Dower, interventional radiology manager, and Tracy Ambrose, volunteer services coordinator.

"Our colleagues have gone above and beyond to make sure that there are gifts under the tree on Christmas morning," Dower said.

Karen Hoak, a human resources secretary, said employees came together to support the program.

"We've seen an outpouring of gifts, package after package, from our people," said Hoak. "It's brought everybody together in support of a very meaningful project."

Rebecca Netznik, regional manager, said the Salvation Army will distribute gifts to about 1,700 children in 1,000 families throughout Schuylkill County.

Beginning Dec. 12, gifts will be distributed at Salvation Army facilities in Pottsville, Tamaqua, Shenandoah and Schuylkill Haven.

The Salvation Army also distributes items collected by the Toys for Tots program, a Marine Corps project.

For information on donating or receiving gifts in the Pottsville area, call the Salvation Army at 570-622-5252. Other areas of the county can call the Salvation Army Schuylkill Service Center at 570-668-0410.

Contact the writer: rdevlin@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6007