WI Student Leaders support Gullotta House by hosting Toy Drive

The Student Leaders at Washington Irving Intermediate School (WI) have been working hard to support a charity that is dear to them. Over the course of the past two weeks 30 Student Leaders have rallied for a chance to give those in need a happy holiday season.

As part of the Student Leadership program, students meet once a month to craft speeches and practice public speaking skills. Under the guidance of fourth grade teacher Viola Santelia and third grade teacher Jamie Stasiuk, they learn how to emphasize key words and how to modulate their voice when making a speech in front of their class.

These skills have helped them in organizing a Toy Drive for Gullotta House, a charitable organization that assists residents of Westchester County who are facing financial or other hardships.

“It is a fun scene and for a great cause, as we give out the toys to our own local community and students,” Ms. Stasiuk said.

Over the course of the past two weeks, students crafted posters that were hung around the school to advertise the toy drive. They discussed what pertinent information would need to be included when advertising a toy drive and Student Leaders volunteered to participate in the morning announcements to further spread the word about the toy drive.

WI has been partnering with Gullotta House for the past three years, bringing smiles and spreading holiday cheer to those who could use some. Ms. Santelia says the event makes students “excited, happy, and an active and contributing member of their community,” and that the recipients are appreciative of their efforts.

Student Leaders were able to collect and donate approximately 200 new and unwrapped toys. The toys were distributed by Santa at the Gullotta House holiday event at Los Andes Bakery in Sleepy Hollow. Gullotta House also provided 200 hot meals, hot chocolate, and cookies for free.