Community Comes Together to Celebrate Students at Sixth Annual Lehigh Valley Labor Council Toy Drive
At United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, we believe that when we’re United, kids thrive, ensuring children feel supported, valued and included during the holiday season and beyond. That belief came to life on Monday, December 15, during the sixth annual Lehigh Valley Labor Council Toy Drive at Roosevelt Elementary School, a United Way Community School in the Allentown School District.
Students were welcomed with holiday music, laughter and a festive Santa parade through the school hallways, led by the Dieruff High School Husky Marching Band. Santa, once again played by Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk, greeted students throughout the building, taking time to connect with children of all backgrounds and speaking with bilingual students in Spanish, reinforcing the importance of representation and inclusion.
This year’s toy drive marked its biggest milestone yet, with more than 1,300 gifts collected and distributed, the most in the event’s history. Every student at Roosevelt received a gift, ensuring all children had something special to open this holiday season.
Santa also made a meaningful stop at Roosevelt’s Autistic Support classroom, where students received personalized gifts from their wish lists. These gifts were provided and wrapped by TeenWorks, a United Way affinity group that empowers youth through service and leadership.
The annual toy drive is made possible through the continued collaboration of local labor unions, the Lehigh Valley Labor Council, Capital Blue Cross, TeenWorks and dozens of dedicated volunteers. Together, they demonstrate what’s possible when a community comes together to support children and families.
TeenWorks brings together local middle and high school students and members of organized labor to support youth-led service projects across the Lehigh Valley. Since its founding in 1999 through a partnership with United Way and the labor community, TeenWorks has helped fund hundreds of projects that strengthen neighborhoods and create meaningful opportunities for young people.
For more than eight years, TeenWorks and Capital Blue Cross have shared financial support for Roosevelt Elementary, building on a partnership that began over two decades ago. Their continued investment has produced lasting results for students, families and the school community.
Special thanks to Lehigh Valley Labor Council for their deep commitment to Roosevelt and the groups who provided donations/financial support for this year’s toy drive: UAW 677, Teamsters 773, Laborers 158, Laborers 1174, AFSCME, Workers United, AEA, Operating Engineers 542, Allentown Firefighters, Allentown Police Department, Lehigh County Sheriff’s Office, ATU 956, LANTA, Mack Trucks, Cohen, Feeley, Altemose & Rambo, Capital Blue Cross, IATSE 200, SEIU 668, United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, Communities in Schools, United Way TeenWorks, Lehigh Valley IronPigs, Lehigh Valley Print Center, USW, among others.
