Nothing but 'Nice Things' with East Meadow's Community Toy Drive

Todd Weinstein runs a Facebook page with one goal in mind: spreading positivity. Three years ago, the East Meadow resident founded the “Nice Things That Happen in East Meadow” Facebook group to counteract the rude comments and harsh arguments that often pit neighbor against neighbor on the social media site, he said.

The page quickly evolved into a conduit for charitable causes when Ben Diamond, of East Meadow, asked if he could use it to seek contributions for a school-supplies drive hosted by the Mary Brennan Interfaith Nutrition Network. Now Weinstein is using the page to spread a message of holiday cheer with his first Community Toy Drive to benefit the John Theissen Children’s Foundation.

“We’re all blessed, and we could do something to help this holiday season,” Weinstein said. “That’s really the takeaway.”

Rather than ask for donations, however, Weinstein purchased 70 boxes of World’s Finest Chocolate that he distributed to local children, who will be selling them for $30 a box. “The goal isn’t really to ask people for money, but to get kids and families more engaged,” he explained. “The kids will feel so much more connected this way, and have more gratitude when they receive their own holiday gifts.”

“What I liked about it the most is that the kids have the opportunity to sell chocolate, collect money and give back to a really worthy cause,” said Staci Davis, director of the Workmen’s Circle Hebrew School in East Meadow, where students collectively sold 20 boxes. “It touches so many aspects of charity.”

Other community groups that got involved after seeing Weinstein’s efforts on Facebook include Boy Scout Troop 362 and the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization chapter in East Meadow.

Weinstein will also host a night of tax-free shopping for the Theissen Foundation at Matty’s Toy Stop on Dec. 6, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The Merrick toy store has promised 10 percent off all purchases. “As an independent toy store in these times of corporate greed and profits,” he noted, “Matty’s has always been a good neighbor in helping out within the community.”

This will be the 27th annual toy drive for the Wantagh-based John Theissen Children’s Foundation. Theissen hosted his first drive in 1992, four years after he had a brain tumor removed at the former Schneider Children’s Hospital in New Hyde Park. He spent the 1988 holiday season getting to know the children in the oncology unit there, and left with a goal to help them.

Since its inception, the drive has helped sick and underprivileged children, collecting and distributing more than 75,000 new gifts each year. “It’s just amazing,” Theissen said, adding that he relies on community fundraisers like Weinstein’s to meet his goal. “It’s great. It’s really a community effort.”

The foundation’s Holiday Gala, its largest event of the year, is scheduled for Dec. 6, at Mulcahy’s Pub and Concert Hall in Wantagh. Themed “Back to the ’80s,” it will begin at 6:30 p.m. and continue through 11 p.m.