Tow truckers from 3 states deliver hundreds of gifts for YSI youth and caretakers
About 70 tow truckers from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland formed a convoy through the city to deliver Christmas gifts to YSI on December 16. This was the 10th year that the “Tri-State Area Tow 4 Tots” has collected and delivered gifts for YSI youth and their caretakers.
“Tow 4 Tots” is organized by Dave and Charles Norton of Philadelphia-based Norton Tow Squad and their network of towers and friends. The Nortons began the holiday drive to thank YSI on behalf of their nephews, who were residents of YSI’s Baring House Group Home in the late 1980s.
“Years ago my nephews lived at YSI,” Charles Norton said. “When they came back many years after that to work for us, we decided to donate and my nephews said ‘let’s go back to Youth Service.’
YSI Executive Director Gwen Bailey said the gifts collected by the towers and donated by other YSI supporters provide emotional support for the families who receive them.
“There’s always this big hype about making a wonderful Christmas for your family,” she said. “That puts a tremendous emotional weight on people who don’t have the financial resources to create a Christmas like America says you should have. This kind of giving lets them know that people really care about them and acknowledge them. To someone who doesn’t have anything or never gets a new coat, or new shoes, or a new shirt or their hair done, these things mean a lot.”
The event was covered by KYW Radio, the Philadelphia Tribune, and other media outlets.
