Simsbury Police and SHS Team Up to Make Holidays Bright

For the seventh year in a row, Simsbury High School participated in an annual Toy Drive & Stuff a Cruiser Event in partnership with the Simsbury Police Department.

On December 13th, SHS Engineering teacher and drive organizer Dave Salonia oversaw the “Stuff a Cruiser” event with Simsbury Police Officer Laurel Harrington, Animal Control Officer Mark Rudewicz, School Resource Officer Todd Kushman, and representatives from the Salvation Army. The donated toys were transported by Simsbury Police to the Hartford Salvation Army for distribution to needy children in the surrounding area. This community service effort was the most successful to date, just shy of doubling the number of new, unwrapped toys collected last year, with a grand total of 518, with 375 collected from the high school students and the balance from anonymous donations from the Simsbury community to the Big Red Toy Box in the lobby of the school.

The top donating homerooms received the honor of helping to stuff the Simsbury Police cruisers. The top five belonged to Kurt Dougan, Dan Bergman/Matt Spector, Dave Salonia, Wojciech Kolc, and Michael Lenz. Furthermore, Dougan’s class was the top contributor and thus earned the grand prize of a free pizza party. Commented Salonia, “Trojan Code is alive and well at SHS!”

About the Toy Drive

The Toy Drive was originally conceived by Saloniaʼs “SHS Connect” class seven years ago. 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.