Really Tall Elves Spotted in Scranton

Jan 4, 2010
Members of The University of Scranton men’s basketball team donated stockings to children attending North Scranton One Head Start. Pictured with University of Scranton human services/counseling major Jillian Mishko of Blakely (front row center), who organized the event, are, from left: Head Men’s Basketball Coach Carl Danzig, Clarks Green; Eli Londo, Hamlin, senior majoring in operations management; preschooler Riley Carey, Scranton; (Mishko) Dan O’Connell, Somers, N.Y., senior majoring in computer information systems; Kevin Roe, Havertown, senior majoring in exercise science; preschooler Donato Stepney, Scranton; Zach Ashworth, Doylestown, junior majoring in finance; and preschooler Nathan Carey, Scranton.
Members of The University of Scranton men’s basketball team donated stockings to children attending North Scranton One Head Start. Pictured with University of Scranton human services/counseling major Jillian Mishko of Blakely (front row center), who organized the event, are, from left: Head Men’s Basketball Coach Carl Danzig, Clarks Green; Eli Londo, Hamlin, senior majoring in operations management; preschooler Riley Carey, Scranton; (Mishko) Dan O’Connell, Somers, N.Y., senior majoring in computer information systems; Kevin Roe, Havertown, senior majoring in exercise science; preschooler Donato Stepney, Scranton; Zach Ashworth, Doylestown, junior majoring in finance; and preschooler Nathan Carey, Scranton.
Members of The University of Scranton men’s basketball team became Santa’s helpers at the North Scranton Head Start to deliver stockings stuffed with toys, books, hats and gloves to three- and four-year-olds who participate in the program there.
The idea for the “really tall elves” came from University of Scranton senior Jillian Mishko of Blakely. The human services/counseling major spent this semester as an intern at Head Start.
“I fell in love with the children and had to do something to make their Christmas fantastic,” said Mishko.
She and staff members at Head Start came up with the idea of giving the children stockings for Christmas. When she talked about the idea with her friends on the men’s basketball team, they wanted to help out.
According to Mishko, the team collected $240 for the gifts and their coach, Carl Danzig, and his staff matched the amount they raised dollar-for-dollar.
The members of the men’s basketball team met with the pre-school aged children who attend the morning and afternoon Head Start programs at one north Scranton facility on December 14. The team played games with the children, treated them to a pizza party, and then got to work distributing the stockings.
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