The Greater Pittston Santa Squad’s warehouse is filled with board games and toys ready to be placed for children of Greater Pittston for the 2024 Christmas.
                                 Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

The Greater Pittston Santa Squad’s warehouse is filled with board games and toys ready to be placed for children of Greater Pittston for the 2024 Christmas.

Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

<p>The Greater Pittston Santa Squad has been collecting clothing for children in the 2024 Christmas campaign.</p>
                                 <p>Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch</p>

The Greater Pittston Santa Squad has been collecting clothing for children in the 2024 Christmas campaign.

Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

<p>Dozens and dozens of bicycles assembled and ready for assembly are housed at the Greater Pittston Santa Squad warehouse/headquarters.</p>
                                 <p>Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch</p>

Dozens and dozens of bicycles assembled and ready for assembly are housed at the Greater Pittston Santa Squad warehouse/headquarters.

Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

<p>Nine bags are packed with five Christmas gifts each with 1,591 bags to go before children in Greater Pittston receive gifts from their wish list.</p>
                                 <p>Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch</p>

Nine bags are packed with five Christmas gifts each with 1,591 bags to go before children in Greater Pittston receive gifts from their wish list.

Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

PITTSTON — The Greater Pittston Santa Squad (GPSS) has lined up their 2024 Christmas campaign schedule where they anticipate helping 1,6000 children in the Pittston Area and Wyoming Area School Districts.

According to GPSS founder and president, Anthony Marranca, the board of directors and volunteers are ready.

They have been collecting and organizing toys, collecting clothing and assembling bikes at the former Seton Catholic gym, William St.

Look for toy collection boxes all over Greater Pittston and beyond starting this coming week at the following locations: Duryea Borough Bldg.; Salt Barre, Pittston; Crossfit at Anthracite, Pittston; Avoca Borough Bldg.; Hughestown Borough Bldg.; JSB Financial, West Pittston; ESSA Bank, Rt. 315, Plains; Cebulas Pizza, Dupont; Tony’s Pizza, Pittston; American Grill, Exeter; Cycle Yard at Waterfront Warehouse; Royal Bake Shop, Wyoming; Knights of Columbus, Pittston; Latona Chiropractor, Laurel St., Pittston; Hand & Stone Spa, Wilkes-Barre; Pittston Memorial Library; M-Fit, Pittston; LCCC, Pittston Campus; Liberty Tax, Plains; Avoca Borough Bldg.

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There will be additional live drop-offs to be named in the future where members of the GPSS will be posted throughout Greater Pittston at scheduled times for toy to be received by going to the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/greaterpittstonsantasquad.

The GPSS annual fall classic Turkey Bowl Game will take place on Sunday, Nov. 24 at 11:00 a.m. at Charley Trippi Stadium. Admission is $20 or free with a donated toy.

“We have some local eateries donating food for the game, so game attendees could have lunch on us and watch our really bad brand of football,” Marranca said. “As usual the game is between Cosgrove Park against the Sixth Ward. We are a bunch of childhood friends that will fight it out and hope nobody gets hurt.”

Marranca said GPSS has plenty of board games but are in need of toys like Tonka Trucks, Bluey, Squish Mellows, drones, footballs, basketballs, Nerf guns, radio controlled cars, craft kits to make jewelry, and Barbie’s. For girls GPSS is looking for make-up, lip-gloss, fingernail polish kits, brushes, blush, and eyeliner.

For GPSS, it’s not always about toys.

“We will take new clothing from anywhere for newborns up to age 14,” Marranca added. “There’s always a need of new clothing.”

Recently, the GPSS received a $25,000 check from PA State Rep. Jim Haddock for $25,000 to upgrade their computer system, which was antiquated. Marranca said they have purchased two new laptops, four tablets, printer, hand scanners, several security cameras to prevent theft, and computer licensing.

“We have a Venmo for people who want to donate monetarily,” Marranca said. “You can go to https://tinyurl.com/3sbjnnvs to donate.”