By Jim Dino
Standard-Speaker
HAZELTON, Pa. — The West Hazleton Fire Department will hold a “fill-a-truck” event outside Tractor Supply in Valmont Shopping Plaza on Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Firefighters are accepting new, unwrapped toys as well as gift cards for children with cancer.
The event is part of the sixth annual Audrianna’s Wish Toy and Blanket drive for children at the Janet Weis Children’s Hospital at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville.
Aside from the toys, firefighters are collecting games, blankets and crafts for patients up to 21 years of age.
Shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, travel-size toothbrushes, body wash, soft socks and gift cards are also being collected for the parents of the sick children, who often stay with them during their hospitalization.
Anyone who misses Sunday’s event can drop off items at Berger Family Dealerships, Route 93 in West Hazleton; the Bonanza Steakhouse, Route 93 in Hazle Township, and at the Laurels Senior Living Community, Faith Drive, off the Airport Beltway in Hazle Township.
The collection will continue until Dec. 14, when the items can be taken to the hospital for a dinner that will be held Dec. 15.
Tony Colombo, who has organized many fundraisers in the area over the last several years, said firefighters filled a 20-foot truck with about $10,000 in toys last year.
Patrick Kreisl from Hazle Park Meats is once again donating the food for the dinner, and Harry Werkeiser, owner and manager of the Bonanza Steakhouse will cook the dinner.
The drive is named for Audrianna Bartol, a little girl who passed away from cancer in 2013.
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