Levittown Schools give to families in need

Adopt-A-Family program fosters holiday spirit

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Coordinators of the Levittown Adopt-A-Family program and Board of Education members wrapped presents for families in need last year. From left, Karen Quinones-Smith, Esta Lachow, Peggy Marenghi, Gina Interdonato and Superintendent Dr. Tonie McDonald.
Coordinators of the Levittown Adopt-A-Family program and Board of Education members wrapped presents for families in need last year. From left, Karen Quinones-Smith, Esta Lachow, Peggy Marenghi, Gina Interdonato and Superintendent Dr. Tonie McDonald.
Donovan Berthoud/Herald

Santa’s elves are working in overdrive this holiday season. Levittown School District students and residents gathered for the annual Adopt-A-Family program on Dec. 11, wrapping hundreds of presents for needy local families. 

Coordinators Esta Lachow and Gina Interdonato, founded the Adopt-A-Family program nine years ago to ensure that all families in the district, which includes northern portions of Wantagh and Seaford, had presents for the winter holidays. 

The initiative kicked off during the fall when Interdonato and Lachow reached out to social workers in all 10 schools in the district to identify families that could benefit from the program. Because Adopt-A-Family helps people within the community, it is anonymous. Only the social workers know who receives the gifts, and they provide the program with wish lists.  

Once the organizers have a list of recipients, Lachow explained, they send letters to employees, staff, faculty, PTSA volunteers and community members asking for help. After adopters and adoptees are matched up, the shopping begins. 

“The program’s impact grows each year, allowing our school community to come together to help more and more people,” Assistant Superintendent of Instruction Todd Winch said. “Activities like this not only provide joy for others, but strengthens the fabric of our entire Levittown community.” 

Donors purchased toys, clothes, food and household items for recipients, according to the school district. Last year, the district delivered items to 231 individuals — the largest number of people ever adopted through the program. Coordinators said they hope to help even more families this holiday season.

More than 1,000 presents were brought to the Levittown Memorial Education Center for the annual gift-wrapping event on Monday night. Student groups and community members dressed festively and helped wrap toys and gift cards. Students and volunteers even wrote personal letters to include in the packages. The gifts will be delivered to the families from Dec. 12 –15.

“MacArthur High School enthusiastically participates in the Adopt-A-Family Program each year,” Principal Joseph Sheehan said. “Several of our honor societies and clubs take pride in helping families in this beautiful community, and this program is another example that illustrates the warmth, compassion and care of all the members of our incredible school.”