Seaford HS Students Collect Hundreds Of Toys

WANTAGH-SEAFORD, NY - From the Seaford School District: Seaford High School’s annual toy drive continues to help more and more children, as this year the Student Council collected more than 1,000 toys to benefit several organizations on Long Island.

Students from the high school and middle school made donations, as did community residents and local Boy Scouts. Officers from the Student Council sorted and wrapped the gifts before playing the part of Santa’s elves and delivering them to preschool students at Hempstead Head Start and Westbury Head Start in the week
leading up to Christmas.

Advisers Tania Cintorino and Shari Raduazzo explained that each child would receive two gifts as well as a trinket such a toy car, puzzle or book. They also said that some toys would go to Freeport Head Start, the pediatric ward at Nassau University Medical Center, Mercy First and Family and Children’s Services.

“We give to kids who are less fortunate than us,” Student Council President Noah Crean said. “We give them a holiday that we take for granted.”

Senior Anna Gagliano, the Student Council treasurer, said the number of donations has increased in each of the four years she has participated in the drive. Junior Secretary Chris Schneider added that the toy drive brings the Seaford community together for a good cause.

Additionally, this holiday season, students from the National Honor Society twice volunteered at the Mary Brennan Soup Kitchen in Hempstead. They served meals, worked in the clothing boutique and pantry, and helped to sort and stock donations.

Members of the Key Club have been assisting the Salvation Army at the Sunrise Mall ringing the bell of the kettle on Saturdays. They raised $400 after two days. The students also helped out Tackapausha Museum on Dec. 9 for the annual holiday party by helping the younger visitors complete crafts.

Photo courtesy of the Seaford School District