Sachem North Holding Toy Drive

In the spirit of the holidays, it’s sometimes easy to forget that some families don't have the means to provide their children with presents this season. For this reason, students of Sachem North have organized a toy drive to provide gifts for children in the Sachem community.

The drive is spearheaded by Sachem North senior Jennifer Hohorst, who has already planned and executed several fundraisers to raise money towards the toys.

"Modell’s Sporting Goods gave us coupons for a month, which we handed out in school," said Hohorst. "Each coupon was for 15% off your entire purchase, and 5% came back as funds for the toy drive."

Through discounts provided by Albert’s Pizza in Ronkonkoma, Hohorst was also able to raise money through a pizza sale at North. She noted that they were able to sell 12 pies in one day, and is working towards setting up a similar fundraiser in the coming weeks.

On Tuesday, November 22, the toy drive will continue to raise money during a bagel sale at North from approximately 7:20-10 a.m. thanks to discounted bagels provided by Strathmore Bagels. All of the money that is collected through these events will go directly towards the purchase of toys that children in the community wish for, but are not specifically donated.

Hohorst has made several announcements and has distributed letters to homeroom teachers to read to each of their classes, actions that have led several students to contribute money to the drive. Fellow senior Jessica Prestigiacomo and Sachem alum Clarianna Buratti (’11) have also had a heavy hand in getting the drive underway, but the support at the high school hasn't stopped with the students.

“Ms. Bhalla, a teacher at North, is helping us by crafting little pink and blue hands which say children's names, ages, sizes and interests," commented Hohorst. "We will hang them up in the main office, and both teachers and members of the National Honor Society have pledged to 'adopt' a child and buy them a gift."

The toy drive is scheduled to run up until the annual Festival of Trees and Lights at North from December 10-11, which will have a tree specifically designated to honor the drive and a box available to accept any last-minute donations.

Hohorst noted that there are at least 112 children that are in need of toys this season, but only seven toys have been donated to the drive so far. Those interested in donating either money or toys can drop them off at North or can contact either Hohorst at jen.hohorst@gmail.com or Prestigiacomo at jpresti4@gmail.com for more information.

"My goal is to have something for every kid to open on Christmas morning," said Hohorst. “We need everyone’s help to make this happen.”