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Banking On Toys - Sierra Pointe Residents Participate In Charity Toy Drive
Residents of Sierra Pointe retirement community recently decorated toys to brighten the lives of local underprivileged children this holiday season.
(PRWEB) December 23, 2004 -- Residents of Sierra Pointe retirement community recently decorated toys to brighten the lives of local underprivileged children this holiday season.
Participating in BankUSAs charitable Doll and Toy Drive, a number of Sierra Pointe residents volunteered to paint trains, planes and tractors, and dress up dolls to create one-of-a-kind holiday gifts for deserving girls and boys. The brightly colored wooden toys are decorated to capture childrens imaginations, while the dolls clothed in hand-made or designer outfits will steal their hearts.
A doll conceived and created by Sierra Pointe resident Jean Loeb, for example, sports a super modern brown leather mini-skirt with a matching leopard-skin hat and coat. Another designed by residents Kay Kitzmiller and Lydia Welborn symbolizes the simple life, wearing a checked pinafore with lace trim and a straw hat.
Nicknamed Sarah by her creators, the doll occupied a chair in Lydias apartment until it was donated. I was really sad when it was time to say goodbye to Sarah," Ms. Welborn remarks, but she gladly relinquished the doll to brighten some lucky childs holiday season.
Each toy or doll comes with its own special gift. Some tractors contain eatable hay or candy canes, while dolls cuddle extras such as a tiny stuffed pet, an additional outfit or a hand-crocheted quilt. As different as each gift is, they all have one thing in common - the care and love with which they were made.
Sierra Pointe residents Sam Friedman, Jean Hoffman, Leo Brody, Erich Gottlieb and Nat Herring painted the wooden toys, while Kay Kitzmiller, Lydia Welborn, Jean Loeb, Herm Davis, Eleanor Gordon, Mickey Harrison and Lilliam Stam dressed the dolls.
Our residents loved the Banking on Toys project," Sierra Pointe Marketing Director Ellen Devine says. Its given them a chance to tap into their own creativity while giving back to the community. They are eager to participate again next year in this project made possible by Bank USA."
BankUSA Vice President Deb Eldridge has been involved in the Doll and Toy Drive for seven years, and introduced the program to BankUSA last year.
The bank, which holds exclusive sponsorship rights to the community program, purchases unclothed dolls and unassembled wooden toys from Community Involvement Concepts, Inc. in early spring of each year. Next, the bank invites community groups, organizations, employees, friends and family to help dress up the toys.
This year, over 150 20-inch, soft-body dolls and over 70 wooden trains, tractors and planes were purchased by the bank. The toys and dolls, which were on display in the lobby of the banks Scottsdale branch until Dec. 17, were delivered to several non-profit organizations for distribution to needy families.
Charities benefiting from the campaign include the Arizona Community Foundation, Vista del Camino, Chrysalis and the Arizona Burn Centers Forever Courage House.
Its a wonderful, fun-filled program that lets us draw from our community resources to help others in need," Ms. Eldridge says. This joint effort not only brings a smile to the face of a child, but also makes everyones holiday special. We are grateful to Sierra Pointe for participating in this years project, and hope they will participate next year, as well."
As always, we can count on our residents to excel when it comes to community involvement," Ms. Devine adds. Not only are they participating in this project, but also in Sierra Pointes Angel Tree program, a tradition where residents adopt individuals or families to give them a gift that will make their Hanukkah or Christmas special.
This is our communitys first involvement with BankUSAs toy drive, but it wont be the last. Our residents are eager to take part in next years program."
About Sierra Pointe
Sierra Pointe is Scottsdales finest luxury rental retirement community, combining the ambience and amenities of a five-star resort with the convenience of a prime location overlooking the scenic McDowell Mountains. For additional information, contact the community by phone at (480) 767-9800 or by visiting their Web site at www.sierrapointe.com.
Photos are available upon request.
Public Relations support provided by Kimberly Bagnal of Artistic Alliance.
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