Third annual holiday giving drive a smashing success

The joint effort between Victim Services Center and the Montgomery County Prothonotary’s Office yielded more than 1,000 holiday gifts for Victim Services Center families

(Norristown, PA) -- The Montgomery County Prothonotary’s Office and Victim Service Center were thrilled to collect more than 1,000 donated toys, art supplies, and sporting goods for Victim Services Center clients this holiday season.

“It warms my heart to see our community come together to support children in need, children who may have been victim to or been witness to a crime. The work that Victim Services does is vitally important, and I am so proud to partner with them to bring a little more joy to our community,” says Prothonotary Noah Marlier.

This is the third year the Prothonotary’s Office has teamed up with Victim Services Center to collect donated items from the Montgomery County community. Twenty community partners, which include local businesses, municipal administrations, and Pennsylvania representatives and senators, put out a collection box at their respective locations and helped amplify the request for new or gently used toys that will make the holidays brighter for children, who range in age from infants to teenagers.

From left, Souderton Borough Executive Assistant Christine Nicholas, Borough Councilwoman Donna Rogers, and Montgomery County Prothonotary Noah Marlier (who are joined by pup, Sage) hold some of the donated gifts in the lobby of the Souderton Borough Administration building.

Victim Services Center staff and volunteers have been organizing these donations into a shop-style presentation. Victim Services Center client families will sign up for an appointment and “shop” through the donations, allowing them to personally choose holiday gifts for their child.

“Thank you to our community who showed up this holiday season to support families impacted by sexual assault, homicide, and other violent crimes,” says Victim Services Center Direct Services Supervisor Erin Milbourne. “We are incredibly grateful to everyone who donated and helped Victim Services Center clients feel supported and cared for.”

In addition to the incredibly generous residents of Montgomery County, Victim Services Center and the Prothonotary’s Office would like to thank their community partners for their participation and enthusiasm for the giving drive: Sen. Amanda Cappelletti’s office, Sen. Katie Muth’s office, Sen. Maria Collett’s office, Montgomery Township Police Department, Royersford Borough, Souderton Borough, Telford Borough, Horsham Township, Hatboro Borough, Skippack Township, West Norriton Police Department, Rep. Liz Hanbidge’s office, Rep. Greg Scott’s office, Rep. Steve Malagari’s office, Rep. Matt Bradford’s office, Rep. Napoleon Nelson’s office, Backyard Beans Coffee, Jenkintown Borough, Ambler Borough, Keller Williams, East Norriton Goddard School.

ABOUT VICTIM SERVICES CENTER

Victim Services Center is the only non-profit, comprehensive crime-victim agency serving Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. The Center’s confidential services are provided at no cost to survivors of crime and their loved ones. VSC's 24/7 crisis hotline is available at 888.521.0983.

ABOUT THE PROTHONOTARY’S OFFICE

The Prothonotary is the elected civil clerk of the Court of Common Pleas and is responsible for recording all civil procedures before the court. This official signs and seals all writs and processes numerous other documents of the Court of Common Pleas.

Media Contact: Ann Cornell, ann.cornell@montgomerycountypa.gov