KEYSTONE CLIPS Toys for Tots begins at Mercer barracks

The Mercer barracks of the Pennsylvania State Police has launched its annual Toys For Tots effort with the United States Marine Corps. All toys collected in the drive will be distributed in Mercer County with the aid of various charitable organizations. The drive is accepting only new toys, which shouldn't be gift wrapped, so parents can view the toys and select items their children might want. Anyone wishing to make a toy contribution can drop them off at the police barracks at 826 Franklin Road (U.S. Route 62 near the Interstate 79 interchange) now through Dec. 16.
Transportation grant
A Lawrence County organization got a big boost from the state. Allied Coordinated Transportation Services is receiving $201,257 from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's Bureau of Public Transportation, said state Rep. Frank LaGrotta of Ellwood City, D-10th. The money will be used to fund vehicle purchases, start-up costs and discounted fares for the 2002-03 fiscal year. It will also be used to offer discounted fares on shared-ride transportation services to people with disabilities. The program grant is part of PennDOT's Rural Transportation for Persons with Disabilities.
Library excellence
The New Castle Public Library received the American Association of Retired Persons 2002 Excellence Award in recognition of the Beatnik Cafe programming. The cafe, open Tuesday nights in the library basement, provides a variety of programs for residents. The award recognizes the excellence in pooling the resources in the community to provide programs for youths and adults. The award was formally given to Susan Walls, library director, on Monday at a meeting of the Pennsylvania Library Association in Hershey, Pa.
XCONTRIBUTORS: Harold Gwin of the Sharon Bureau and Laure Cioffi of the New Castle Bureau