MVI teams up with Salvation Army for Cheer Club

By KRISTIE LINDEN
klinden@yourmvi.com

The Mon Valley Independent’s Christmas Cheer Club kicks off Monday in hopes of fulfilling holiday wishes for families in need — and even more families need the help this year.
The Christmas Cheer Club toy drive was established by our predecessor, The Valley Independent.
Toys donated to the Christmas Cheer Club help Capt. Sue Thwaite and her crew at the Mon Valley Citadel of the Salvation Army in Monessen deliver a happy holiday for Mon Valley kids.
Like everything else this year, COVID-19 has changed things up a bit and we’ve had to organize the toy drive a little differently.
Instead of bringing donations to the Mon Valley Independent office, families or individuals are asked to purchase new gifts, each with a minimum value of $5, and drop them off directly at the Salvation Army at 308 Schoonmaker Ave. in Monessen from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday starting Nov. 30 through Dec. 21.
Donors can turn right onto Third Street and drive to the back of the building. Thwaite said donors wearing masks should enter the door on the left side and there will be a Christmas tree set up.
Donors can get their photo taken for inclusion in our annual Christmas Cheer photo pages — a longstanding tradition at the MVI. All COVID-19 safety precautions will be taken.

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