Willow Road kids collect mittens, toys for drive

Students at Willow Road Elementary School collected mittens and toys recently to give to local families in need in time for the holidays.

The entire student body collected 158 pairs of mittens as part of the Mitten Tree program. Older students read the Mitten Tree book to the younger students, and the collected mittens were donated to charities run by Blessed Sacrament and Holy Name of Mary Parish.

Students also collected 110 toys that were donated to the Marines’ Toys for Tots program and to a toy drive sponsored by Senator Dean Skelos. Henry Waldinger Memorial Library was one of the Toys for Tots drop locations.

“We’re pleased to provide toys to children in need,” said librarian Carole Anne Gravert. “The generosity of the students and their families is extraordinary. They’re doing whatever they can to help in our neighborhood.”