PITTSTON – The Greater Pittston Santa Squad is fired up and ready to go for its big toy drive of 2019 Christmas season.
The Squad will sponsor its annual Turkey Bowl football game on Sunday, Nov. 24 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Albert West Park Field, home of the Junior Patriots football team, East Swallow Street.
Approximately 30 players will dust off their spikes, pull out the Icy Hot, wrap up their ankles and attempt to put on a great show, feeling like 18-year-olds once again.
Anthony Marranca, founder of the GPSS, is extremely excited for game weekend. Last year’s efforts pulled in over 440 toys that went to West Pittston’s Salvation Army.
“This year, we’re shooting for 600 toys,” Marranca said. “Anything we get over 600, we will look into donating to Children and Youth and the Care and Concern Ministry.”
During the game, and Marranca said the general public is invited to watch, toy collection boxes will be at the field for anyone attending to donate. Also a collection box will be available for monetary contributions. Those donating will be able to enjoy food prepared by Arcaro’s in Pittston (pizza), Johnny Rockets (breakfast sandwiches), Dino Argo (baked ziti), as well as haluski and sausage and peppers.
Marranca said the Junior Patriots will have their stand open to keep food warm.
“Lunch is on us if you’re bringing a toy or a money donation,” Marranca said. “We are expecting an incredible crowd this year.”
As a surprise during the 2018 game, the Pittston Area girls basketball team showed up with donations.
The game is going to be a lot of fun, Marranca promises.
“We want to absolutely tamper down expectations on the game,” Marranca said. “The game gets worse, but the laughs get better every year. Honestly, we will be happy if none of us die on the field.”
The game will take place rain or shine, Marranca said.
“We’re happy to be doing this again … I’m extremely pumped,” Marranca added. “We’ve been working with our team of volunteers to make sure we get the word out for the game and for the toy drive overall. We’re trying to capture the lightning in the bottle for the second year in a row.”
Marranca said he’s blown away at the response of people who have been donating their time or even water, soda, potato chips.
“We’re incorporated and we’re standing on our own,” he said of the organization.
anyone who can’t make it to the game but would like to donate may send money via PayPal by going to the Paypal site or finding the donate link of the GPSS Facebook page.
Anyone interested in donating a toy may do so at either the Pittston Memorial Library or Hair Color Studio near the corner of William Street and the Pittston Bypass.
Marranca assures everyone 100% of the money donated will go to the purchase of a toy.
GPSS is a not-for-profit organization that is currently a 501(c)3 organization making any donation a write-off.
For more information, log onto the GPSS Facebook page.
