Westhampton Beach Student Spreads Holiday Joy To Children In Need

WESTHAMPTON BEACH, NY —A Westhampton Beach High School junior has been a veritable elf this year, working tirelessly to bring holiday magic and wonder to children in need.

For the fifth year in a row, Emily Tully has held a toy drive for the nonprofit John Theissen Children’s Foundation, based in Wantagh.

Tully began the annual toy drive when she was just a seventh grader at East Moriches Middle School — after the foundation provided toys to a friend who was battling childhood cancer.

“I decided to bring the toy drive to Westhampton Beach and East Moriches as a way to involve myself and the community in giving back for the holidays,” she said. “I am giving back to the community, but it doesn’t feel like work or depletion. Running the toy drive gives me happiness — to know that I am making a difference in someone’s life.”

After middle school, Emily continued her mission of giving at Westhampton Beach High School, teaming up with the school’s Interact Club and placing collection boxes at the high school and elementary school, as well as in East Moriches schools. She also works to bring awareness to the drive through social media and with the help of the schools.

All of the toys collected are distributed to children on Long Island who are sick or underprivileged.