A man with an urge to help others is organizing a toy drive just in time for Christmas.
Peter Signorelli said a toy drive was something he had thought about for a while, so he decided to look further into it to see if there was a need for it in the community.
Signorelli said in a Facebook post that they will be building toys for single parents/grandparents and all who do not have the resources to build a toy for their loved one.
He dubbed the event “The Great Toy Build 2022.”
“I took the initiative to see if there was a need out there. I posted some information on Facebook seeing if that was something that’s truly needed,” Signorelli said. And then when I saw that it was, I made arrangements with the church that I attend and secured a location. This is the first of its kind and I felt that there was a need for it. That got affirmed with some feedback I received.”
Signorelli said event is scheduled for Dec. 17 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Graceworks Church, 16131 LA-44 in Prairieville.
Volunteers are needed to help coordinate the toys coming in and to bring hand tools to help build some toys.
“It’s been on my conscious just the need to give back,” Signorelli said. “I got into woodworking and I found out that I was good with that. My kids are 21 and 18 now so I don’t build them toys anymore. And I know that there’s single moms or grandparents or custodial parents or people who just don’t have the capability of doing that and they may want to buy their child or grandchild a toy but may hold back because they know that they can’t put it together. You know, so why not try to help some people out?”
Signorelli urged people not to donate trampolines or swing sets and other toys that are more difficult to put together. He said doing good in the community is a way to honor his mother, Judy Signorelli, who died in August.
“It just it just brings me joy and fulfillment of just seeing their (kids) eyes light up,” Peter said. “My mom was always a giving person. It’s kind of a way to honor her memory. She always would give and would always say, ‘you know, we may not have much but they don’t have anything’ and that stuck with me my 52 years of life.”
Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Signorelli at 225-571-4226 or on Facebook.
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