PNA ASSISTS NEEDY CHILDREN
AT CHRISTMAS WITH TOY DRIVE

Chicago, Illinois - The Polish National Alliance held their annual toy drive for needy children from November through the second week of December. A large decorated carton stood in the lobby of the Home Office for donations that would be given by PNA Employees and guests who entered the building. The PNA affiliates, the two PNA Bank locations (Niles and South Pulaski Avenue in Chicago) and the Polish Daily News (Dziennik Zwiazkowy) also participated in the toy drive with drop off boxes in their buildings. This year the donations was the best we have done in the past few years.

PNA President Frank Spula (who this year was a huge contributor of donated toys) appointed Vice President Paul Odrobina to oversee the collections. Mr. Odrobina's Administrative Assistant Joan Oskorep assisted in the organizing of the drive. Many of the Employees donated cash or brought items in as well. Cash donations were used to purchase additional toys from area stores.

On Friday, December 16, 2011, many large boxes containing over 200 donated toys, games, stuffed animals and books were delivered to Swedish Covenant Hospital in Chicago, Illinois and to a Salvation Army location on the North Side of Chicago. The staff from Swedish Covenant Hospital and the Salvation Army were very grateful for the donations and would like to thank everyone who donated a gift or gifts to make a needy or ill child at Christmas smile.

After the Christmas holiday, Swedish Covenant sent the PNA a Thank You banner from the staff on behalf of the children visiting the hospital. A blog from Jenise Celestin (click on link below) thanked the PNA and Employees for their generosity.

http://wellcommunitychicago.org/blogs/north-side-inside-out/szczesliwego-nowego-roku-happy-new-year

Story and Photos by:
Robert M. Jadach

Additional Photos (#4, 5, & 6) by:
Jenise Celestin
Courtesy of Swedish Covenant Hospital

Photo One - Vice President Paul Odrobina and PNA Bank Vice President (Niles Branch) Jolanta Walaszek with donations from the PNA Bank

Photo Two - Vice Presidents Teresa Abick and Paul Odrobina with donated toys before they were packed up to be delivered to Swedish Covenant.

Photo Three, Joan Oskorep and Vice President Paul Odrobina with Banner from Swedish Covenant Hospital.

Photo Four, Five & Six - Photos sent to the PNA from Jenise Celestin from Swedish Covenant Hospital and Staff giving out the donated toys

Total: 8 Photos

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