Thursday, October 1, 2026
More than 3,000 holiday gifts moved through Roosevelt, Freeport and Uniondale this past Saturday in just three hours as Nassau County police officers, volunteers and community partners fanned out across school campuses during the 9th Annual NCPD Foundation & Give Squared Holiday Toy Parade.
At stops across the Roosevelt School District, the annual parade marked a continuation of what Superintendent Shawn Wightman described as a long-standing and meaningful partnership.
“In a time when many in our community are burdened by the rising costs of groceries, utilities, and other essentials, this event represents far more than the distribution of toys,” Wightman stated in a email after the event. “It serves as a reminder that compassion, service, and community partnerships uplift us, especially during the holiday season.
“We are deeply grateful to the Nassau County Police Department, the NCPD Foundation, and all of the partners who make this possible,” he continued. “Their commitment ensures that thousands of children across Uniondale, Roosevelt, and Freeport experience joy, hope, and a sense of belonging.”
After Roosevelt, the parade continued on to Freeport High School as part of what Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder described as a fast-moving, carefully coordinated operation involving Toys for Hope, local school districts, police, fire departments, volunteers and residents.
“We meet up in Walnut Elementary School – we go to Roosevelt (middle school and high school), and then we go to Freeport (high school),” Ryder said. “So it’s bing, bing, bing.”
The schools were selected to reflect communities with the greatest need, focusing on underserved areas where support could make the strongest impact. Permission slips were distributed during the school day, though no child was turned away.
“We are sincerely grateful to the Nassau County Police Department and the Nassau County Police Department Foundation for their extraordinary generosity and partnership,” said Freeport’s Interim Superintendent of Schools Alice Kane. “The Ninth Annual Toy Parade, which provided more than 1,000 toys for our children in Freeport, brought immense joy to our families and created a truly uplifting moment. We were honored to participate in this event again at Freeport High School, where we witnessed the very best of what can be accomplished when we engage in meaningful collaboration to support of our children.”
The parade’s first stop earlier in the day was Walnut Street Elementary School in Uniondale, where families arrived in waves. Children weaved through clusters of police officers, volunteers, the Grinch — and Santa himself. There were no formal lines or checkpoints, just crowds forming naturally as toys were unloaded to the sound of music and laughter.
One of those children was 7-year-old Ehsaan Mohan, a Walnut student who said he was thrilled to receive a Fortnite water gun and planned to use it despite the cold weather. His Christmas wish list? “Three more regular Nerf guns,” he said confidently. His visit with Santa was brief — the “real” one would still come on Dec. 24, he explained.
Ehsaan’s mother, Shabana Alam, the Walnut Street Elementary School PTA president, called the parade a valuable tradition.
“It gets better every year,” she said. “And bigger — which makes it challenging, because we need more manpower. But my kids love it. I went to Walnut Elementary 38 years ago, and it’s a lot easier to enjoy school now.”
Uniondale School Superintendent Monique Darrisaw-Akil said the event showed students a different side of law enforcement.
“Sometimes people have different ideas about the police,” she said. “To see them out here spreading cheer and building relationships with our community — it’s so important.”
Throughout the afternoon, officers danced, mimicked the Rockettes’ kick line, and posed for photos with children. Mounted police drew particular excitement.
Each child received a toy courtesy of Toys for Hope, an American Giving Project based in Huntington, which provides books, toys, clothing and other items to needy and homeless children, according to its website. Approximately 1,000 toys were distributed at each school.
Alexandra Nigolian, chief executive of the County Police Department Foundation, said school districts are asked to identify families in need. As she watched the toys being handed out, she was already thinking about next year.
“Next year,” she said laughing, “will have to be bigger,” acknowledging how difficult it will be to top this year’s event.
For Ryder, the day was a reminder of why the parade matters.
“This is all about giving back. Look at these kids,” Ryder said, gesturing toward children proudly showing off their toys. “People are so messed up today in this world – this is what brings us humble and brings us back to reality.”
Behind the scenes, Uniondale Kiwanis partnered with the school to prepare for the event, with volunteers arriving as early as 8 a.m. to set up and serve hot chocolate and cookies.
Though the parade itself lasted only a few hours, Ryder said toy collection efforts begin almost immediately after Christmas.
“They collect the day after Christmas,” he said. “People come and drop off their toys for Toys for Tots, we usually work with the Martine Corps. (and hope) – plus tomorrow (Sunday) we’ll be packed with toys at the Coliseum, as people will just keep coming and dropping off boxes, and we’ll load them up and then give them back out. It’s about giving.”
Despite financial challenges, he said, Long Island families continue to find ways to help.
“It’s harder on people every day in life to give stuff up,” Ryder said. “But they always find time to go buy an extra gift.”
As police officers and firefighters waved goodbye from their trucks, sirens sounded gently and children shouted their thanks. By the end of the day, 3,000 toys had found new homes — in Roosevelt, Freeport and Uniondale — each one a small but meaningful connection.
