Pittston Area Girls Basketball team has donated to the Greater Pittston Santa Squad in previous years, as shown in the photo during the annual Santa Squad Turkey Bowl touch football game in 2019.
                                 Tony Callaio file photo | For Sunday Dispatch

Pittston Area Girls Basketball team has donated to the Greater Pittston Santa Squad in previous years, as shown in the photo during the annual Santa Squad Turkey Bowl touch football game in 2019.

Tony Callaio file photo | For Sunday Dispatch

<p>The Santa Squad will be at various locations during the 2021 Christmas campaign. Look for Santa Squad ads in upcoming Sunday Dispatch editions as well as the organizations Facebook page. Shown are members of the Santa Squad, from the left, Paul McGarry, Anthony Marranca (founder), and Paul Frances.</p>
                                 <p>Tony Callaio file photo | For Sunday Dispatch</p>

The Santa Squad will be at various locations during the 2021 Christmas campaign. Look for Santa Squad ads in upcoming Sunday Dispatch editions as well as the organizations Facebook page. Shown are members of the Santa Squad, from the left, Paul McGarry, Anthony Marranca (founder), and Paul Frances.

Tony Callaio file photo | For Sunday Dispatch

PITTSTON — Now that fall has arrived, the Greater Pittston Santa Squad is gearing up their campaign for Christmas 2021.

The initial reason for the Santa Squad’s birth was to help an ailing Christmas toy collection program of the Salvation Army in West Pittston. They had two major sponsors pull out of their annual Kettle Drive, the biggest fundraiser for the Salvation Army for the toy program.

Anthony Marranca, founder of the Santa Squad, come up with the name of the organization, putting together a team of volunteers to help aid the Salvation Army’s potential toy shortage.

This year, with the West Pittston Salvation Army closing their doors for good, the Santa Squad is looking for organizations as well as individuals to step up and benefit from the Salvation Army’s absence.

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“We’re getting the word out to schools, daycares, and parents with the Salvation Army being gone, we are going to fill the void and take registration in distributing toys to the Wyoming Area and Pittston Area School District kids,” Marranca said. “We will have four days of signups for the toy distribution.”

One program the Santa Squad will work with for the 2021 Christmas season is the Christmas Assistance Program for Low Income Families with the two school districts.

Marranca said the four days to register children up to the age of 14 would be conducted at Done Rite Carpets and Flooring, 76 S. Main St., Pittston.

The registration dates are: Thursday, Oct. 14 from 5 to 8 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 20, from 5 to 8 p.m., and Saturday, Oct. 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. When registering, Marranca asks that you bring a form of identification.

“Last year we gave 350 kids three toys each with the Salvation Army, this year we are going to do the same, promising three and maybe up to five toys,” Marranca said. “Many of the West Pittston Salvation Army parents may go to the Wilkes-Barre Salvation Army for Christmas toys, but if they don’t, they can take advantage of our charity right here in Pittston.”

According to Marranca, the Santa Squad will be doing a tarp drop-off for toys at various locations throughout the Greater Pittston.

“The drop-off locations worked out great last year, especially with COVID, so we’re bringing it back for this year,” Marranca added. The drop-off list will be available for the November and December sites on our Facebook page and in the Sunday Dispatch in upcoming weeks.”

With each year passing, Marranca feels the organization is getting strong, more efficient and organized.

“We’re chomping at the bit to get this going and we’re super excited,” Marranca added. “This year we’re getting help from the Pittston Area Booster Club and the Wyoming Area Drama Club, so we are hoping this will be the best year ever.”