Rich and Charlene Hrivnak, of Plum, are no strangers to community service.

Mrs. Hrivnak volunteers for Big Brothers, Big Sisters and for Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh. Mr. Hrivnak is Mayor Hrivnak in Plum government and lends a hand in several community programs.

So when their son, Richie, 4, was a toddler of 1, the two decided it wasn't too soon to plant the seed of giving in him.

	Bill Wade, Post-Gazette Rich and Charlene Hrivnak and their 4-year-old son, Richie, at home before their big party to collect toys for Toys for Tots and food for the Plum Food Pantry. Click photo for larger image.

"We wanted to do something as a family," Mrs. Hrivnak said. Throwing a big party where the guests bring toys for children whose families might not have the resources for a nice Christmas would involve the whole family, they thought.

The Renton fire hall was booked, balloons and food bought and invitations sent.

The annual Richie's Toys for Tots Party was born, and hundreds of children's toys were hauled away by the Marine Corps for distribution to needy children..

On Saturday, in time to kick off the holiday season, Richie's fourth party will be held, from 2 to 5 p.m. in the Boyce Park Ski Lodge. Guests can bring unwrapped toys or something for another of Mr. Hrivnak's favorite causes, the Plum Food Pantry.

Either cause will help make someone's holiday a better one, they feel.

The party was moved from the fire hall by its second year.

"It was packed," Mr. Hrivnak said, so he and his wife began looking for a bigger place right away. They also looked to expanding the party entertainment and the food they would offer.

"It took on a life of its own. Every year, it gets bigger and bigger," she said.

They added the food pantry to the toy donations last year, and Mr. Hrivnak drove a pickup truck full of nonperishable items to the Holiday Park Methodist Church, where the food pantry is based.

Everyone who comes to this year's party will get pizza and beverages. Nick Futules, of Harmar House, is donating the soft drinks.

The Hrivnaks pick up the cost for almost everything else, including the little prizes visitors can win at the game booths that will be set up around the room. A clown, spin art and balloon tricks, Santa Claus and a train that will take children through the venue will be featured.

"I think our entertainment's a lot better this year," Mr. Hrivnak said.

The day of the party is a busy one for the family. They go to the lodge early to decorate and set up what needs to be set up.

They go home, change and go back in time to open the doors and let the party begin. They clean up and send the donations on their way afterward.

It's tiring, but the Hrivnaks wouldn't have it any other way. They feel their son is learning the best of lessons through the party.

Mr. Hrivnak said Richie would visit a toy store and pick out toys he thinks would be perfect for a less fortunate child. He rarely asks for them for himself, his parents said.

"He's a great kid," Mr. Hrivnak said.

His mom and dad are seeing to that.