ADVISORY/ Despite Stolen Toys, It's a Happy Ending for North and West Philadelphia Children; More Than 3,000 Toys to Be Distributed by Drexel at Philadelphia's Largest Toy Drive.

Assignment Desks

ADVISORY...Friday (Dec. 20)

--(BUSINESS WIRE)

Update:     Despite the theft of toys on Wednesday at Drexel's Center
            City Hahnemann campus, donations from local businesses and
            private donors will make Philadelphia's biggest toy drive
            even bigger.

What:       Santa will arrive at Drexel and use the University's
            high-tech expertise to scroll through his "Naughty or
            Nice" list on his laptop computer. After checking it
            twice, Santa will distribute more than 3,000 toys to
            children from West and North Philadelphia.

            Representatives from more than 30 local civic groups and
            public housing facilities will bring groups of children to
            receive their presents from St. Nick. The St. Maria
            Goretti High School for Girls Concert Choir will perform
            holiday favorites at the toy distribution.

            Drexel students, faculty and staff donated many of the
            toys. Many more were purchased with donations from
            sponsors, including Katter & Associates, Ten Ten
            Condominiums, Parkway Corporation and Peco Energy. The
            stolen toys were replaced with hundreds of toys from
            Commerce Bank and Drexel alumni.

Who:        Santa Claus will be joined by Councilwoman Jannie
            Blackwell, local and state officials, Drexel University
            President Constantine Papadakis, Drexel Vice President for
            Government and Community Relations Joseph Cascerceri and
            several "elves."

When:       Friday, December 20, 2002, noon to 1 p.m.

Where:      The Great Court, Drexel University's Main Building
            (32nd & Chestnut Streets)

Visuals:    Cheers of glee from children unwrapping their gifts ...
            Santa's pulse being taken by a nurse from Drexel's College
            of Nursing and Health Professions to ensure he is in good
            health while delivering all those gifts next week ...
            Santa at the computer scrolling through his list ... the
            mountain of wrapped gifts ... the concert choir singing
            Christmas carols.

www.drexel.edu/dateline