Photo submitted to the Times Observer Pa. Miss Amazing Jr. Miss Queen Mariah Allen, of Warren, is giving back during the holiday season by collecting new toys and books to donate to Shriner’s Hospital for Children in Erie.

‘Tis the season of giving, and one college student is making time between final exams and a myriad of activities to give back to a place she says she owes everything to.

Mariah Allen, the reigning Pennsylvania Miss Amazing Junior Miss Queen, is holding a new book and toy drive to donate to Shriner’s Hospitals for Children in Erie.

Allen, who has Cerebral Palsy, received care at Shriner’s for many years, according to her mother, Robin Anderson. Her pageant win provided her an opportunity to volunteer her time and talents and Shriner’s Hospital was her chosen recipient.

“Shriners is a wonderful place where the staff makes the day brighter and happier even when you are in pain or have to have surgery,” Allen said. “They always have something — therapy dogs, clowns, or Santa — to greet the patients in the waiting room.”

“Mariah had surgery when she was five years old to lengthen her hamstrings, hip flexors, and gastrox muscles at Shriner’s Hospital in Erie,” Anderson said. “Mariah could not walk prior to this surgery. She owes everything to her doctors at Shiner’s. She is mobile because of their talented surgeons.

“Mariah’s dream was to dance and, as soon as she could walk, she asked if she could take dance lessons,” Anderson said. “She has been dancing ever since.”

She’s been doing more than dancing, participating in horseback riding, acting, cheerleading, and numerous other activities.

Currently a junior in college majoring in elementary education, Allen is a member of the National Honor Society, the Council for Exceptional Children, and the Pennsylvania State Education Association for students. She also recently trained to be a Make-A-Wish volunteer, having received a trip herself as a child, Anderson said.

“She doesn’t let anything stop her,” Anderson said of her daughter. “She never has.”

Representatives of the hospital are thrilled that Allen chose this project as a way to give back.

“We are so proud of Mariah for winning the PA Jr. Miss Amazing title and appreciative of her efforts to collect books and toys for our patients,” said Micheal Widrig, the hospital’s public and donor relations specialist. “Each time a child has a surgery at Shriner’s Hospitals for Children – Erie, they have an opportunity to pick out a toy beforehand.

“This really helps to distract the child and helps them cope with any stress they may be feeling about the surgery,” Widrig said. “At SHC – Erie, we care for over 10,000 kids each year and so gifts like this are important.”

Allen plans on putting the toys and books collected in the hospital’s waiting room. She will be delivering her collected items and spending time playing and reading with the kids on Dec. 19.

If you would like to donate to Allen’s efforts, new books and toys can be dropped off at three locations: Crone’s Drug Store, 212-214 Liberty St., Warren; Route 62 Auto Sales, 701 S. State St., North Warren; and the Fraternal Order of Eagles Club, 2101 Pennsylvania Ave. East, Warren.

Items will be collected until Dec. 19.