Third graders at Shady Side Academy Junior School collected donations of new and gently used toys, books, movies, and sports equipment, and volunteered for the Play it Forward Pittsburgh Toy Drive as their annual class service project. The students spearheaded the school-wide drive from Nov. 29 to Dec. 16, collecting hundreds of donations which will be provided for free to local families in need this holiday season.

On Thursday, Dec. 16, the class filled the back of two school buses with donations and took a field trip to the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in downtown Pittsburgh to deliver the items and to volunteer with Play It Forward Pittsburgh by sorting and organizing donations.

The third grade teachers are Dan Stern, Jennifer Riscilli and Brandon Howe, and PE teacher Kim Disbrow helped chaperone the field trip. The drive was done in conjunction with The Little Fox - Toby's Foundation, run by Stern and his wife, Katie.

Thank you to all the SSA families, faculty and staff who donated items to this important cause and helped families in the region receive gifts this holiday season!

View a slideshow of the Play It Forward Toy Drive.