Volunteers on both sides of Paul Rosso (in the middle), help collect donated toys.
by June Portnoy
Paul Rosso has demonstrated that it only takes one person to make a positive difference to many.
Rosso, a Newtown real estate associate and a Richboro resident, established the Council Rock Living & Paul Rosso’s Annual Food and Toy Drive five years ago in the midst of the Covid pandemic in November 2020. “I knew a lot of people who had lost their jobs who were struggling to buy food for their families and purchase holiday gifts for their children,” explained Rosso. “I saw a need in the community and felt like I had to do something to help,” and that’s exactly what he did when he established a food and toy drive in Newtown Township.
Although Paul had done charity work, he had never overseen a fundraiser of his own and he admitted that prior to the first year’s fundraiser, he truly didn’t know what he was doing. Despite his uncertainty, he was eager and willing to learn.
Kaiden and Dexter Gana, from Newtown, enjoy the Cruise Car Show.
He created his Facebook page, Council Rock Living, as a community service page during Covid and then used it to promote his event and provide any pertinent information about it.
The event started out small the first year. However, over time, word of mouth brought more people to what became an annual event, and this past November 9, approximately 500 people attended this 5th Annual Food and Toy Drive that took place at the parking lot located at 210 Penns Trail in Newtown. According to Rosso, this was his most well-attended event thus far.
Most importantly, the main goal of the food and toy drive was achieved. Rosso, along with about eight volunteers, collected 787 pounds of non-perishable food that they donated to the food distribution center at the Emergency Relief Association of Lower Bucks County. They also collected 112 new unwrapped toys donated to Toys for Tots in Bucks County.
Because of the event’s location, it got a lot of visibility from people passing by who stopped by to see what was taking place, and they soon discovered that there was something there for all family members.
Newtown’s Scott Meyer has fun sitting in a festive holiday sleigh next to Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Children lined up to see Santa and Mrs. Claus, eager to pose for pictures with them on their festive holiday sleigh. A karate demonstration engaged children as did a DJ playing a variety of songs ranging from holiday tunes to classic and pop music. Kids also enjoyed eating kettle corn, hamburgers, hot dogs, and other tasty treats from a food truck parked in the lot for the day.
During the third year of this fundraiser, Rosso had added a cruise car show to the lineup of events. For the first few years about 35 cars participated, but this year Rosso was thrilled to see 95 cars pull into the lot. He explained that cruise car shows don’t require drivers to preregister, so it was a pleasant surprise to see so many cars in attendance.
“I was very humbled by the turnout this year,” said Rosso, who added, “I feel blessed that I can help those in need living in the Bucks County community where I live and work.”
Rosso plans to continue his annual event next year and into the future. For more information, visit his Facebook page at Council Rock Living.