Harbor County Day School Collects Thousands of Donated Toys For Children in Need

ST. JAMES, NY - Recently, United States Marines from Farmingdale visited Harbor Country Day School in St. James to collect thousands of toys donated to the Suffolk County Toys for Tots program.

In addition to collecting donated toys from its own students, the school served as a drop-off location for the surrounding community.

The marines collected all the toys to be donated to children in need on Dec. 14.

The school has contributed to the Toys for Tots drive since 1998, when former Harbor employee Mike Guido instituted the program.

Now retired from the school, Guido directs the delivery of toys from various sites throughout Smithtown to Harbor Country Day and other drop-off locations.

The John W. Cooke V.F.W. Post 395 of St. James, of which Guido is a member, also contributed funds, which were used to purchase toys for the drive.

"During this time of year, when our lives are exceptionally busy and hectic, we cherish the opportunity to slow down a bit and remind our students about the importance of ‘stepping outside of ourselves’ and helping others in need," John Cissel, Head of School for Harbor Country Day School said. “The Toys for Tots program is a perfect opportunity to do that and, at the same time, to make a valuable contribution to our surrounding community."