Courtesy photo The Family Resource Center of Blair County under the United Way of the Southern Alleghenies provided new coats, hats and gloves to 710 children this year through its Toasty Toddler Program. Individual needs continue to be filled as additional referrals and donations arrive.

The Toasty Toddler Program, a winter outerwear collection and distribution for children birth through age 5, served 710 children this season. Children registering receive a new coat, hat and gloves through the generosity of the community.

Toasty Toddler began as a collaborative project started by the Blair County Human Service Office, now the Blair County Department of Social Services, to help our youngest children keep warm through the winter months.

Referrals are made by education, health care and social service agencies serving families with young children, as well as individuals who call the center looking for help.

The Family Resource Center of Blair County under the United Way of the Southern Alleghenies now facilitates the program.

Collection began in September with donations being collected throughout the winter season with the main distribution in November but lasting into December.

Individual needs continue to be filled as additional referrals and donations arrive.

Each year, the program relies on the generosity of the Blair County community which this year included businesses, agencies, clubs, churches, early education programs, libraries, civic groups and many individuals who provided supplies, monetary donations and collection sites.

A total of 32 area businesses, agencies, clubs, churches, early education programs, libraries, schools and civic groups provided supplies and/or collection sites with 48 volunteers sorting, packing and distributing coats, donating 101 hours to help the program run smoothly.

This year’s participants included: Adam Holliday Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, Altoona Area Public Library, Altoona Area School District Learning Express and ELECT, Altoona Sunrise Rotary, Ashley HomeStore, Bishop Guilfoyle Academy 6-8 Grade Class Representatives, Blair County Department of Social Services, Blair County State Health Center, Blair Regional Nurse Practitioner Group, Buccinese Ladies Auxilliary, Central Blair Recreation and Park Commission, CONTACT Altoona, DelGrosso Family of Companies Employees, Family Resource Center Advisory Committee, Faith Fellowship/Faith United Church of Christ, FedEx, Hollidaysburg Area Public Library, Juniata United Methodist Church Giving Tree, Kohl’s Altoona, Lakemont Lions, M&T Bank, PA Department of Transportation District 9-0, PA Department of Health, Penn Highlands Blair County, Penn-Mont Academy, St. John Evangelist Church Lakemont, Seven Mountains Media, Tender Love For Children Child Care and School, Veeder-Root, UPMC Altoona, Verizon Retirees, Wehnwood United Methodist Church Quilting Group, and numerous individuals who donated time, supplies and energy.

The Family Resource Center and the United Way of the Southern Alleghenies would like to thank all those, named and unnamed, who contributed to this year’s program.