Matilda Theiss Toy Drive Nov. 24 - Dec. 8

As has been our tradition for many years, First Unitarian Church is once again proud to be coordinating a toy drive and a mitten & hat drive for local children and families who receive services at the Matilda Theiss Center. The Center largely serves the Hill District.

If you are able to make a toy donation for a child this holiday season please take a tag (or several tags!) off one of the trees in the sanctuary, and purchase a toy for the child specified on the tag. Bring the unwrapped gift(s) back to church with tags attached, and place under the trees. Some families can use help with food and so Giant Eagle gift cards can be purchased in the Undercroft Gallery and designated for this purpose.

Donations of new mittens and hats can be placed on the tree in the Garden Lobby. Children's size items are especially welcome.

All donations should be brought back to church by Sunday, December 8 so toys and items can be delivered to the Matilda Theiss Center that following week.

The Matilda H. Theiss Child Development Center is the cornerstone of early childhood mental health services at UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital. For over 30 years, Matilda Theiss has supported person-centered, family-focused, positive approaches — as well as individualized models of care — across a continuum of services. The mental health programs at Matilda Theiss address the therapeutic issues of children with special needs related to: emotional and behavioral disturbances; prenatal drug and alcohol exposure; a parent’s mental illness diagnosis. The early childhood mental health therapeutic programs at Matilda Theiss provide a foundation for the enduring emotional and behavioral health of young children with psychiatric disorders, or those who are at high risk of developing psychiatric or developmental difficulties.
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