School News

Lifting spirits in Levittown District

Schools sponsor large-scale holiday-giving program

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Esta Lachow and Gina Interdonato have become the head elves of the Levittown School District. The community members coordinate one of the largest holiday-giving projects in the area — the Adopt-A-Family program. 

It was launched eight years ago to help Wantagh, Seaford and Levittown families in need during the winter holidays. Lachow and Interdonato said that every year the number of community members supporting the initiative increases, noting that more than 140 residents have offered to buy gifts for local families this year, and 200 more volunteered to wrap them.

“I noticed that we always did things for children in other countries, which is great,” Lachow said. “But there are people here that need assistance, too. Although we live in a middle-class community, there is still a need here in Levittown.”

The initiative kicks off during the fall. Then Interdonato and Lachow reach out to social workers in all 10 district schools to identify families that could benefit from the program.

Because Adopt-A-Family helps people within the district, 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 begin sending letters to employees, staff, faculty, PTSA volunteers and community members asking for help. After adopters and adoptees are matched up, the shopping begins. 

Lachow said that the adopters always send her positive feedback about the program. She added that it has served as a learning tool for local parents who want to teach their children about the importance of philanthropy and community. 

“People learn how to give and help others through programs like this,” Lachow said. “You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars. Even a roll of toilet paper can go a long way.” 

Toys, household amenities, gift cards and other home goods are collected and brought to the Levittown Memorial Education Center for the annual gift-wrapping night. This year, volunteers will gather on Dec. 12. 

Sporting Santa hats, volunteers from various scout troops and athletic teams package the presents and separate the gifts. Some even write letters, Lachow said, signed “a friend in the community.”

The MacArthur High School cheerleading team wraps presents for the program every year. “A lot of people help support them throughout their season, so it’s important to give back to their community,” coach Lisa Nessler explained. 

Watching all of the volunteers come together for one cause brings tears to her eyes annually, Lachow said. Superintendent Dr. Tonie McDonald said that she also becomes emotional while looking around the room and admiring the piles of donated presents.

“The district works hard to prepare Levittown students to be caring individuals and to reach out to community members who are in need,” McDonald said. “The Adopt-A-Family program is the epitome of what Levittown is about.”  

After the gifts are wrapped, they are delivered to each of the district’s schools. Social workers then make sure everything reaches the recipients. Last year, the program provided 160 families with four gifts each.

The most successful year for the Adopt-A-Family project was 2012, when participants purchased presents for Hurricane Sandy victims. Whether they were delivering larger items such as microwaves, bedding and emergency kits to storm victims or toys to children in need, Lachow said that she is proud of the program. 

“I was raised to teach my daughter that we are fortunate,” she explained. “We feel morally responsible to help out, and Gina and her family are the same way.”