Community Corner

Santa Rides in Style for 'Christmas in July' Toy Drive

Aries Transportion Company is holding a toy drive at Southampton Days so they can spread Christmas cheer to patients at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children.

Philip and Linda Jagiela arrive to Southampton Days Family Nights in a limo.

But they’re not VIP; they get to cruise into—and park inside—the fairgrounds in style so that hospitalized children have plenty of toys for Christmas.

The Jagielas own Aries Transportation Group, a company that provides limo, bus, van and SUV services. They’ve served everyone from newlyweds, high school prom goers and corporations—but one of the best days at work for them is when Philip dons a Santa costume and the company participates in the Philadelphia Regional Limousine Association’s (PRLA) Limos for Santa Charity Event.

Find out what's happening in Upper Southamptonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

For eight years, the Jagielas have joined other PRLA members in December to drive down to St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia to spread Christmas cheer…and toys.

“It’s incredible,” said Linda. “You feel so good after you do it.”

Find out what's happening in Upper Southamptonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

She said the children, most of whom don’t get to leave the hospital to see Santa, are enthralled with the visit.

"On one visit, a child was so excited to see Santa, he tore out his IV and took off," she said. “All he wanted to do was see Santa — It was like a scene from a movie with the nurses chasing him and everything.”

Linda said the event is something she looks forward to so much, that the she starts collecting toys before the company even has a chance to ask for community help.

“We start the day after Christmas,” Linda said. “But our kickoff for the event is Christmas in July.”

For the second consecutive year at the Southampton Days parade, Philip wore his Santa costume with a twist—adding an Uncle Sam-style hat and sunglasses.

Southampton Days Committee President Glenn Roggio, who drives part-time for Aries Transportation Group, said the Jagielas are an extremely giving couple.

“I went to offer them money to pay for (costs of driving the limo in the parade) and they actually refused the money,” said Roggio. “So, we’re probably going to donate $100 worth of toys for them.”

Roggio said the reason the committee wants the Jagielas to participate in the festivities is simple.

“The way Southampton Days works is whatever people need to help kids, we’re going to do it,” said Roggio. “I can’t imagine being a little kid that’s sick, not out there running around with their friends and stuck in a hospital room.”

Linda said Tuesday’s family night produced a good handful of donations. Several workers from Skelly’s Amusements and the Southampton Days Committee donated toys or dropped them off at the Committee’s booth. Even people playing carnival games have donated their prizes.

“People in this community are very wonderful and very giving,” she said. “The teenagers just surprise you, they come and say, ‘OK, I won this for you.’”

Linda said last year the Southampton Days drive produced three large leaf bags full of toys. She hopes for similar results this year. 

If you would like to donate a toy, the Jagiela's limousine will be parked by the small stage and Girl Scout bake sale stand.

If you miss them at Southampton Days, Linda said, stop on by Aries Transportation Group’s office and drop the toys off.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here