The holiday spirit was in full swing outside UBS Arena as fans, nonprofits, and Islanders legends came together to collect toys for children in local hospitals — and to celebrate a charitable gift to a Wantagh-based foundation.
Bob’s Discount Furniture donated $2,500 to the John Theissen Children’s Foundation on Dec. 11 during a joint holiday event with the New York Islanders and the Little Saint Nick Foundation.
The John Theissen Children’s Foundation, founded by Wantagh resident John Theissen, supports sick and underprivileged children across Long Island through toy drives, financial assistance, medical support, back-to-school programs, and recreational events. Theissen started the organization after surviving a brain tumor as a child and seeing the loneliness and difficulty that young patients face in hospitals.
“I was honored by it,” Theissen said. “Bob’s Discount Furniture has been supporting us throughout the years with donations; it was nice.”
Islanders fans attending the team’s 5-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks were encouraged to bring new, unwrapped toys as part of the franchise’s annual holiday toy drive. Those who donated four or more toys received a voucher for tickets to a future Islanders game.
“This year, we’re looking to partner with the Little Saint Nick Foundation just to give back toys to the kids,” said Justin Rodriguez, a Staten Island store manager for Bob’s Discount Furniture, who was at the event. “Community is one of our core values at Bob’s. We felt that it was the right cause for us to do and try to give back to people.”
The $2,500 check was presented to the Theissen Foundation as part of Bob’s ongoing charitable outreach program, which supports dozens of regional nonprofits throughout the year. The donation will go toward a shopping spree for the foundation’s kids center, which has a classroom, theater room and hosts free parties for children.
The event was also in partnership with the East Rockaway-based Little Saint Nick Foundation, founded in 2004 by Raymond Mohler Jr. after he had an alarming hospital experience at age six. Moved by the isolation he felt while undergoing treatment at Cohen Children’s Medical Center, Mohler began donating his birthday and Christmas gifts to other hospitalized children. Today, his foundation distributes toys, care packages, and comfort kits to thousands of young patients.
“He donated his life to helping others,” said Raymond’s father, Ray Mohler, who was also at UBS Arena for the toy drive. Mohler explained that the toys collected would be delivered to three major hospitals: Cohen Children’s Medical Center in New Hyde Park, St. Mary’s Children’s Hospital in Bayside, and Stony Brook Children’s Hospital.
According to Mohler, toys will be distributed to Cohen’s Children’s Medical Center in New Hyde Park and St. Mary’s Children’s Hospital in Bayside and Stony Brook Children’s Hospital.
He added that he was “very gratified” by the turnout and support. “It’s going to underserved kids in the hospitals,” he said. “I think it’s just a really good cause.”
According to Rodriguez, about 15 Bob’s Discount Furniture stores across the region are participating in this year’s collection. He noted that based by the turnout, toy donations were likely to exceed last year’s.
“I would say the truck was at least halfway full,” Rodriguez said. “This year, it looks like it’s probably going to be more than that. So, we’re really excited to do it for the kids this time of year.”
Also appearing at the event to thank donors and greet fans was Islanders great Bryan Trottier, a Hockey Hall of Famer who won four Stanley Cups with the team during its dynasty years in the 1980s. Trottier, wrapped up against the December chill, joked with fans while underscoring the generosity he’s witnessed among the Islanders community.
“We have an opportunity to thank you folks for being generous,” Trottier said. “For me, it’s a wonderful opportunity.”
He spoke warmly about the role of charity in the hockey world, calling it the core value of the sport and its fans.
“Philanthropic work is part of the hockey identity,” he said, adding that he believed the “Islander identity,” on Long Island, is very proud and strong. “We love our history,” Trottier said. “We love the fact that Islander pride comes out in all different kinds of ways. There’s generosity in the hearts of hockey fans everywhere.”
