Number of Participants: 8
Hours Donated: 30
Value of Time Served: $2,028
Event Type: Children & Youth
Sport: Schools
Date: December 25, 2018
Location:
Massapequa
NY, USA
About:
Santa’s elves have been busy at Birch Lane Elementary School in the Massapequa School District to ensure that every child has a great Christmas. Those elves are fifth-graders in John Coyne’s class, who are spearheading the annual holiday toy drive.
Every morning, the student put on their elf hats and go from classroom to classroom to pick up toys donated by Birch Lane families. When the toy drive ends on Dec. 19, all items will be donated to the Wantagh-based John Theissen Children’s Foundation. Toys will then be distributed to children in hospitals, shelters and rehabilitation centers.
“They’re the ones who need it most, more than we need it,” said Michael Murphy. “It makes me feel good heling other people. That’s all this world needs — for people to be kind to one another.”
Mr. Coyne said that the goal is to exceed the 804 toys collected last year and that the early returns were promising. Community members are also welcome to drop off new and unwrapped toys at Birch Lane during normal school hours.