Dec 22, 2003 By Steve Ferris 3 min read

Volunteers from the state police barracks in Uniontown are continuing a 20-year-old tradition, “Gifts for Kids,’ through which about 4,000 children will receive presents this holiday season. Participating in the program (from left) are Grace Miller, Nina D’Andrea, Michael D’Andrea and Cpl. Joseph D’Andrea who have a $1,500 check from funds raised at a guest bartender contest at the 19th Hole to support the program. A few volunteers from the state police barracks in Uniontown are carrying on a 20-year tradition of giving holiday gifts to Fayette County children.

Approximately 4,000 students in kindergarten through third grade in 18 schools will receive presents before Christmas through the “Gifts for Kids” program.

Cpl. Joseph D’Andrea, police communications officer Julie Sutton and clerk Victoria Weightman have been involved with the program since 1997.

D’Andrea said it takes a lot of time to purchase all the gifts and organize deliveries to the schools, but all the effort is worthwhile when he sees children’s faces light up as they receive their presents.

What he said surprises him is that elderly people and others on fixed or limited incomes have been generous with the little money they have.

“It’s the people that don’t have much. They’re not that well off. That’s what amazes me,” D’Andrea said.

He said businesses also are generous. Wal-Mart donated $3,500, The 19th Hole gave $1,500, and several others made $1,000 contributions.

The program ran into some logistical problems this year, which meant gifts were provided to half of the county’s elementary schools.

D’Andrea said it seemed like there was less time this year between Thanksgiving and Christmas and some donations came in late, so the schools that did not receive gifts this year will receive them next year.

“We ran out of time and money,” D’Andrea said.

All six elementary schools in the Uniontown Area and Albert Gallatin Area school districts, all three in Brownsville Area, two in Connellsville Area and one in Laurel Highlands received presents this year. One lucky student at each school received a bicycle.

D’Andrea, Sutton and Weightman visited eight of the schools and helped hand out the gifts during assemblies. D’Andrea said station commander Lt. Charles Depp joined them Friday at an assembly.

The program started in the early 1980s when trooper Robert “Botch” Frider distributed 300 to 500 toys a year to students in the Markleysburg area with assistance from trooper Michael Cellurale.

After Frider retired, Sgt. John Arminas took the reins and gave out toys and reconditioned bicycles to George J. Plava Elementary School students.

D’Andrea, Sutton, Weightman and trooper William Shiley took over after Arminas was killed in a traffic accident in 1999.

That year they gave out toys to 1,300 children and the number grew to 6,500 students in the last three years.