Students spread holiday cheer

Santa Claus isn’t the only one giving out gifts this year. Students from Jonas Salk Middle School and MacArthur High School in Levittown are giving back in a big way this Christmas and holiday season. By running toy drives during the month of December, students are able to provide presents for children and families in need in the community.

“I think it brings the kids together in unity while also giving back to the community,” Business Honor Society adviser Diana Benevento said. “It’s good to show them that not everyone has something to open up on Christmas or Hanukkah. This is something, as a mother, that I can’t imagine, so it’s always nice to give to those that don’t have.”

The high school seniors of the honor society expect to collect anywhere from 400 to 600 toys this year to donate to the John Theissen Children’s Foundation in Wantagh. The nonprofit organization was started by Theissen, a former MacArthur graduate, and has been providing toys to sick and needy children for more than 20 years.

“I think it’s such a good cause to help give back to kids who don’t get the opportunity to get as many presents as other children do,” Honor Society Vice President Phil Razza said. “It’s such a reality when it’s in your own community.”

The members of the club will be collecting toys for the drive up until Dec. 18, so they can be given out just in time for Christmas.

“My favorite part is seeing how many toys come in from all the teachers and students,” President Scarlet Cafarelli said. “They take the time to actually get the toys for the kids who are less fortunate and whose parents or guardians can’t afford it.”

Students from Salk Middle School are also in the holiday spirit. Eighth-grader Kara Deblaisio along with her friends, Olivia Esposito and Mary-Kate Sweeny, have formed a last-minute toy drive, “Friends of Renz,” at the school, in memory of their friend and former classmate, Lorenzo Fernandez.