For the third consecutive year, SHELTER magazine publisher Brian Welsh has spearheaded a holiday toy drive to provide Christmas presents to underprivileged children in the greater Philadelphia area.

The "Skate for the Kids 2004" toy drive, held at a local ice skating rink in Colmar, Pa., collected more than twice the number of gifts than it had in 2003, with preliminary gift counts estimating 350 items collected. One charitable gift donation per family earns free admission to the skating rink for the two-hour skating party, though it was evident that many families brought more than one gift.

Among those who attended were approximately 50 children from St. Mary's Villa for Children, a boys-and-girls home in Ambler, Pa., one of three organizations that receives gifts for the children it houses.

"It was a bit hectic, but fun and I am sure [those who gave] will put a big smile on the faces of some children with [the] donations," said Welsh.