Joseph Gallart, one of Merrick’s most prolific altruists, has laid out the plans for the third annual Desirae’s Darlings toy drive to bring holiday spirit to those in need.
For almost a decade, Joe Gallart’s holiday season mission has been clear: to ensure that no child goes without a gift to unwrap. Most of Gallart’s donations are given to the national nonprofit Toys for Tots or organizations in Nassau County such as Cohen Children’s Medical Center.
His passion for collecting toys began in 2016 and has grown each year since. In 2017, he wound up with around 150 toys.
“In 2022, we delivered 5,000 toys,” Gallart said. “I decided, you know what? I’m going to form this charitable organization, in my daughter’s name and memory, and going forward we’ll collect toys each year, and we’ll do it for Desirae’s Darlings.”
In 2023, Gallart formalized his annual tradition into the nonprofit organization dedicated to his daughter, Desirae Gallart, who died in 2010 at the age of 24. During that year, Gallart collected 6,600 toys, which set a new record. That milestone was surpassed in 2024, with over 9,300 donations — in total, Gallart collected and distributed 26,000 toys.
“I can't imagine what it's like to get on a holiday and not have a toy as a child,” he said. “My goal is to see that doesn't happen to kids. And I think that it's the best way that I can preserve my daughter's memory.”
Gina Bennicasa, Gallart’s wife, commended his leadership in the community.
“He puts so much heart and soul into this — I was so blown away and impressed with the coordination that he had with this huge group,” Bennicasa said. “He works tirelessly. He’s so passionate about it.”
Bennicasa said Desirae would be tremendously proud of her father for what the charity does in her memory.
“They had such a beautiful relationship,” she added. “She was a beautiful, beautiful person. She would be so psyched. I know she’s looking down on him.”
Local businesses in neighboring towns including Bellmore, East Meadow and beyond, have joined the effort by setting up public facing donation bins for toys in their lobbies.
Shopping from the Amazon registry allows donors to have toys and other gifts delivered directly to Gallart’s home for redistribution.
Community members can make credit cards or Venmo donations to Desirae’s Darlings, or visit Fun Stuff Toys in Seaford, which also accepts donations.
“They can donate monetarily, or they can donate to a local toy store,” he said. “I have a link to a local mom and pop shop: Fun Stuff Toys in Seaford on Merrick Road. Mike Timko is the owner there; he partnered up with me for a few years now.”
Marcelo Gallina, a friend of Gallart’s of over 40 years, helps him coordinate toy distribution while pursuing his own charitable work.
“I lend my help and support to him in any way I can,” Gallina said. “I'm involved with Big Brothers, Big Sisters, from myself, and I see the importance of giving back, but he does it on a whole ‘nother level.”
“In this little circle of the world, he is a giant,” he continued. “I just think that his level of engagement and everything that he does is just to be commended.”
Currently, the comedy night has about 20 available spaces left.
On Oct. 26, Desirae’s Darlings will also host the 5th Annual Pizza Toy Swap from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The event will be held at 2057 Sherman Avenue, Gallart’s Toy Garage in Merrick.
To purchase comedy night tickets and make donations visit DesiraesDarlings.org.
