The holiday season is a time of gift giving and merriment for most American families. However, as many Americans find themselves struggling through hard times, unable to make ends meet, students around Long Island including Wantagh are spearheading efforts to alleviate the burdens on some families.
Students at initiated charitable drives to benefit various organizations around Long Island. One such drive was hosted by the Student Government Officers of Wantagh High School. Led by Wantagh High School teacher Marie Cammallere, the Student "G.O." as it is colloquially called, began a toy drive effort to benefit one of Wantagh's local charities.
One student who works for the , a charity with a fun center for needy children on Wantagh Avenue, came to Cammallere relaying that the non-profit organization was in of closing its doors, since it is having financial trouble stemming from the struggling ecnomy.
The JTCF gears itself toward providing financial and emotional support for children affected by various ailments. The Wantagh-based organization has been hosting its 19th annual toy , in an effort to provide enjoyment to ailing children, hoping to ease the burdens of their sickness.
Wantagh High School students took advantage of festive, charitable spirits this holiday season and set up two areas for students, parents, teachers and administrative officials to drop off gently used items. Overall, the students gathered 80 toys. Additionally, the students sponsored a candy cane drive.
The drive also involved students purchasing candy cane candy-grams to send to other students. "We were just hoping to pull in about $200, but the town really came together to be very charitable," said Cammallere.
In the main lobby of Wantagh High School, there were new coats and toys piled up into boxes. Additionally, students involved in the Wantagh Junior Chamber of Commerce also hosted a coat drive, with proceeds being given to Big Brother Big Sister, Long Island Chapter. Continuing with the charitable efforts, office administrative staff made efforts to show their appreciation to other staff members, taking some staff members out to lunch, and other parents cooking food for teachers and guidance staff members.
For further information on the JTFC log onto the charity's website.
