Norton to Deliver Toys to Needy Families (12/21/07)

Norton to Deliver Toys to Needy Families Sunday
December 21, 2007

Washington, DC-The Office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today announced that Norton, who "played Santa" with toys for a crowd of needy children on Tuesday, will deliver another round of toys on Sunday, December 23, beginning at 1:30 PM at the Church of Philadelphia, located in the Senior Counseling Center at 2451 Good Hope Road, SE. After meeting families at the church, the Congresswoman will take toys to a single mother, Theresa Cooper, and her family of 8 children at their home at 1720 Franklin Street NE. Today, Norton sent toys to children affected by abuse, neglect and domestic violence at two programs, My Sister's Place shelter and Safe Shores- The D.C. Children's Advocacy Center.

"The sub-prime mortgage crisis and a sour economy are already being felt by many families here," Norton said. "I'd like to find out more by spending a little time with some of the families this year." The visits and donations are an extension of Norton's annual Holiday Party for Disadvantaged Children on Capitol Hill this week, where more than 250 of D.C.'s homeless children and other disadvantaged kids received winter clothing and toys donated by local businesses and organizations, and were treated to Santa - courtesy of Judah Cooks, a D.C. United youth teams coach and former player; costumed characters, food, entertainment, and lots of fun. Anacostia Community Outreach Center, Covenant House Washington, the Edward Mazique Day Care Center, United Planning Organization, and the Barbara Chambers Children's Center were among the many groups that brought children to the Cannon House Office Building. The toys for the party and the deliveries were donated by the U.S. Marine Toys for Tots Program, D.C. United, Screaming Eagles, Chevy Chase Bank, DNC, PEPCO, Fannie Mae Foundation, GEICO, Safeway, Giant Foods, Fort Lincoln Newtown Corporation, Washington Gas Light Company, WMATA, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Amtrak, AFL-CIO, and Coca-Cola.