Former Steeler Charlie Batch Helps Less Fortunate With 'Batch Of Toys' Campaign
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Former Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch traded his helmet for a red and green "holiday hat," as volunteers turned out for his annual "Batch of Toys" campaign.
"We collect unwrapped gifts during this time of year, and we'll collect them for the next two weeks," he says. "And then we'll have a big wrapping party."
All day long, visitors keep coming, bearing gifts. Steel Plaza, downtown, is one of several donation destinations.
Batch of Toys has collected some 25 thousand toys over the years, averaging about five thousand a year.
This time, they hope to get up to six thousand, so they can add new families to Santa's list.
It's one of many programs sponsored by the "Best of the Batch Foundation." The founder's grandmother says the whole family gets involved.
"We've just enjoyed the community," Creola Bolden says. "And he stayed in the community and worked in the community. That makes a difference."
With no paid staff, the foundation relies heavily on volunteers.
"When you see someone who's really contributing, it makes you feel good to be a part of it," says longtime volunteer Beatrice Bennett.
As for his headgear, Batch says, "This is my hat that I typically wear during the holiday time, when we go out and deliver them. And that's something people don't know. Even though we collect and we wrap, we personally go out, Latasha and I, to deliver the presents. People start crying when we deliver them. And then we walk away and they say, 'Was that Charlie?'"
Speaking of deliveries, the "Santa Lady" brings several bags full of gifts, year after year.
"I don't think any child should wake up on Christmas mornng without a toy," she explains.
Do Santa's elves help out?
"They were watching the Steeler game on Sunday," the Santa Lady says.
Click here for more information on the Batch Foundation Toy Campaign.
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