Oceanside High School students came together to bring comfort and cheer to children receiving care in Long Island hospitals.
Members of the Oceanside High School Youth Council, under the guidance of health teacher Sara Dowler, partnered with the GEM mentoring program and the school’s ACE program to collect gifts and handwritten cards for pediatric patients. The students gathered to assemble the items into gift bags, which were distributed with the help of the Little Saint Nick Foundation.
Each bag was carefully packed with age-appropriate items designed to brighten a hospital stay, including stuffed animals, pop-it toys, coloring books, crayons and handmade cards created by students. The gifts were intended to provide encouragement and a sense of normalcy for children facing medical treatment.
The project offered students an opportunity to give back to the community while supporting children and families during a challenging time. School officials praised the collaboration, noting that the effort reflected the compassion and service-minded spirit of Oceanside High School students.
The Youth Council and its partner programs regularly participate in community initiatives throughout the year, with focus on leadership, mentorship and outreach. This project, organizers said, was a meaningful way for students to make a positive impact beyond the classroom by helping to lift the spirits of young patients across Long Island.
