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Community Corner

Local Santa's Helper Collects More Toys Than Anticipated

Sixth-grader's toy drive exceeds its goal of collected toys to donate.

You may recall our on 11-year-old Victoria Dolanch and her generous toy-raising efforts. Her fourth annual toy drive for Children's Hospital kicked off this holiday season with a goal of 350 toys. The grand total exceeded that goal by a landslide. Santa's little helper and her team of "elves," joined by a few inspired local residents, collected more than 420 toys to donate this year.

"Our car was busting at the seams," exclaimed Diane Dolanch, Victoria's mother. "Next year we may need a U-Haul."

Venetia resident and friend of the Dolanch family, Bob McGinnis volunteered to load more than half of the toys in his van and help Victoria and her "elves" deliver them to Children's Hospital, Thursday, Dec. 16.

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Sandra Clement of the Child Life Department at Children's Hospital greeted Victoria and her crew with a crate to transport the toys from the vehicles on delivery day.

"She was stunned when she saw the number of toys we actually had; we ended up needing 5 crates," recalled Victoria. "The kids were just ecstatic to find out how many toys we brought."

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In addition to the toys, Victoria and her "elves" amassed through the help of school families, friends and neighbors, and several local residents who caught word of her toy drive. Sharon Sheehan, a resident of Southpointe, read about Victoria on Peters Patch after she had hosted two holiday office parties, where she had asked everyone to bring an unwrapped toy or non-perishable item. She then contacted Diane wanting to donate the toys, they had collected, to help Victoria.

Jim Dolanch, cousin of Diane's, well-known Century 21 real estate agent and Peters Chamber board member, also donated.

Amanda Yetter, of Crown Castle in Southpointe, asked employees at her office holiday party to bring toys to donate. "She collected more than 60 toys," said Diane.

Victoria wanted to express her gratitude for her "elves" hard work, so she planned a pizza party for them this week. "They worked so hard and are just the best so I wanted to say thank you, "she said. "We can't wait!" she exclaimed.

"Most children just think about what toys they want for Christmas," said Clement. "She's a fabulous little girl with a huge heart and the staff and children appreciate her efforts so much."

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