Career Training Academy Students Donate Gifts To Children's Institute Kids

SQUIRREL HILL (KDKA) -- Volunteers from the Career Training Academy played Santa Claus at the Children's Institute Day School in Squirrel Hill.

Students had been collecting donated gifts for more than six weeks.

The Children's Institute has served kids with special needs for more than a century. But it's doubtful they ever received as many gifts at one time as they did Tuesday morning.

"We presented it to all our students at all the campuses, and they pitched in money," says campus director Michael Discello. "We put a jug out for them to put their loose change in for the last month, and we collected over 200 dollars in loose change, plus they brought in many, many gifts."

The Career Training Academy provides career training in medical, dental, and therapy fields, at places like the Children's Institute.

"Some of the students and staff have a personal connection to the facility, so we thought this would be a good place to contribute our time and money and gifts for the children here," Monroeville campus director Nichole Lane adds.

It's a treasure chest of fun, for a girl who enjoys working with art.

"I got crayons, erasable crayons, and a Paw Patrol coloring book," she smiles.

Michael Discello sums it up: "It's unbelievable to see the children's faces, and be able to give them the gifts."

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