Simsbury High School Seeks Toy Donations for Annual Drive

Simsbury High School (SHS) students are sponsoring their 7th annual Toy Drive & Stuff a Cruiser Event, which runs through December 12th. New, unwrapped toys will be collected to distribute to needy children.

The toy drive was conceived by engineering teacher David Saloniaʼs “SHS Connect” class. SHS Connect is the homeroom period required for all students, which meets twice weekly. During this time, students learn to apply the “Trojan Code” principles of Respect, Honor, and Responsibility to all of their behaviors, both inside and outside of school. They also learn 21st century skills, such as goal setting, problem-solving, leadership, and teamwork. Most importantly, students learn how to respect each other and give back to their community. Community service projects like the toy drive are a direct and positive outcome from these classes.

The SHS Toy Drive is conducted with Simsbury Police, through their annual Stuff-a-Cruiser event. Once the toys are collected, students and staff come out one (usually very cold!) morning and “stuff” them into police cruisers. Donated toys are transported by Simsbury Police to the Hartford Salvation Army for final distribution to needy children in the surrounding area.

Salonia is eager to get the word out to the wider Simsbury community to donate new, unwrapped toys. Said Salonia, “Toy donations from the other schools and the Simsbury community are welcomed… he added, this event is a fun and meaningful way to ‘pay it forward’ and reach out to the surrounding community during the holiday season.”

Students promote the drive by making posters, posting fliers, and airing announcements. In addition, an enormous red wooden toy box is placed in the SHS main lobby as a convenient collection point and reminder. Salonia’s “Robotics” homeroom students canvass all homerooms to ask for donations and pick up the donated toys. In addition, other school organization members, including the National Business Honor Society and the Tri-M Club, partner in this event.

The top donating homerooms receive the honor of helping to stuff the police cruisers on December 12. Also, a free pizza party will be awarded to the highest donating homeroom!