Getting in the holiday spirit in Valley Stream

There is something going around Valley Stream that is spreading fast — generosity. Local schools, businesses and organizations are spreading holiday cheer this season.

Valley Stream Memorial Junior High School’s Student Council organized a Thanksgiving food drive. Seventh, eighth and ninth graders learned the value of helping people and gained a sense of community, said Holly Lopez, the Student Council advisor. On Nov. 21, they assembled Thanksgiving baskets containing canned goods, sweet potatoes, stuffing and gift cards for 10 local families.

“The baskets will help others that are less fortunate than I,” said eighth grader Jason Paz, “and Thanksgiving is about giving thanks.”

Hundreds of students participated in a school-wide Thanksgiving food drive at South High School, sponsored by the National Honor and Junior Honor Societies. They also provided dinners for four local families and gave food to Holy Name of Mary Church. “Our motto is ‘Small acts make a big difference,’ so the kids are aware of the need in our community,” said Patricia Antonelli, National Honor Society advisor. “Through this opportunity, they are able to give back and do a great thing to help the community.”

In District 24, the William L. Buck School Student Council assembled five Thanksgiving food baskets each containing food and a $25 King Kullen gift card for needy families. Students also donated 10 boxes of food to the Holy Name of Mary Parish Outreach Center, said Buck’s Student Council coordinator Joseph Mangini.

“I felt that I helped make a difference for families who might not have enough,” said fourth grader Eddie O’Shea.

The Brooklyn Avenue School Student Council and staff members, led by nurse Maria Griffin, also collected food. They worked with Grace United Methodist Church to make and deliver baskets.

The Robert W. Carbonaro Student Council members and other students, along with staff members, provided Thanksgiving meals to six families.

The meaning of Thanksgiving

Clear Stream Avenue School students in District 30 had a Thanksgiving lunch on Nov. 23. “Students had a classroom celebration of Thanksgiving because we are truly a family,” said Assistant Principal Yannie Chon. “So many children got to think about what Thanksgiving means, and to be lucky for all we have.” Students and staff members also collected and delivered food to a dozen families for Thanksgiving.

Under the guidance of Student Council advisor Sarah Queirolo and social worker Laurie Buelvas-Kritas, Shaw Avenue School students held a Thanksgiving food drive, assembling 10 baskets, which were delivered to families on Nov. 23.

Forest Road School students fed six families for Thanksgiving. They also ran a “pajamas for cans” program, where students who donated canned goods got to wear their sleepwear to school. The students also wrote letters to senior citizens in nursing homes.

Toys and more

Girl Scouts from Troop 2029 of Valley Stream are collecting toys until Dec. 16, to donate to Winthrop University Hospital. The 11-member troop filled four large bags with toys last year, and have high hopes for this year, said troop leader Elizabeth Fogarty. “There is no limit, and whatever we get, we and Winthrop are very grateful,” she said. “[The girls] like to give back, and really enjoy going around the neighborhood to ask everyone to help.”

Franklin Hospital runs an Adopt a Family program, where local merchants and community members donate cash and merchandise for needy families, selected by social service agencies. Hospital employees donate money and purchase and wrap gifts, which the agencies distribute to families. Franklin collected funds for eight different families this year, and also collected Thanksgiving food, said Audrey Tullo, Franklin’s community relations liaison.

At the James A. Dever School in District 13, the PTA organized its 23rd annual toy drive collecting for the John Theissen Children’s Foundation. “It helps many sick and needy children throughout Nassau and Suffolk collect thousands of toys,” said Principal Darren Gruen.

And several students at Shaw, South High, Willow Road and Wheeler Avenue schools will hold a Toys for Tots program this month, along with the Valley Stream Chamber of Commerce.

Deck the halls

Willow Road students in District 13 collected nearly 200 pairs of mittens and gloves to donate to the St. Catherine’s of Sienna and Our Lady of Lourdes outreach programs. They erected a “mitten tree,” to recognize students who donated by hanging paper mittens. “The theme we try to replicate is that we as one can make a difference,” said school librarian Carole Anne Gravert. The school will hold a “souper bowl” to collect cans of soup in January.

Dever students just ended their coat drive, organized by former student Alina Costello, who now attends North High. When it was over, 175 coats were collected, up from 140 last year. The jackets were donated to the Lady of Lourdes and New York Headstart and Early Headstart programs. The school also will put up its annual “wish tree,” so members of the school community can donate items on a wish list for a local children’s hospital.

At Howell Road School, the Student Council will organize a food drive with Island Harvest, said club advisor Maria Teh-Bradley.

Visitors to Forest Road School can drop off mittens, coats, and scarves to the “box of warmth” this month. And for Christmas, students at South High will continue raising money for pediatric cancer research and organize a clothing drive.

At North, the Senior High Student Council will host “Operation Christmas Child,” sending shoeboxes filled with goodies to impoverished children overseas. Students will also organize a food drive, and make stockings for children, among other activities, said Principal Clifford Odell.

The Central High School National Honor Society and Student Council will purchase gifts for children in foster care, said student activities coordinator Jennifer Buonagurio.