Giving back: a way of life at Wantagh High

Wantagh High School students are in the giving spirit this holiday season, evidenced by numerous initiatives spearheaded by the school’s clubs.

There are several holiday drives taking place this month, as well as efforts to spread cheer in Wantagh and beyond. It’s part of a commitment by students to look beyond themselves, noted Assistant Principal Jim Brown.

One of the biggest efforts is the toy drive, being led by the Key Club. The service organization is collecting new, unwrapped toys, which will be donated to the John Theissen Children’s Foundation, based in Wantagh. The toys will go to sick and underprivileged children across Long Island.

“It’s important that the children in the hospital have gifts to play with for Christmas and around the holiday,” said Sandra Re, a junior.

Inspired by Theissen’s story of the girl who gave him a teddy bear when he was hospitalized as a teenager, the Key Club purchased an oversized stuffed bear to donate to the foundation. “We thought it would be a good idea to donate a big one back,” said junior Brian Tretter. “Hopefully it makes someone else really happy.”

The Junior Chamber of Commerce is holding a drive to collect coats, which will go to children in need. According to JCOC Co-president Jonathan Tanner, the donations will go to the Coats for Kids Foundation.

The Italian Club’s holiday food drive is being done in partnership with the Sons of Italy, and will help stock the food pantry at nearby St. Frances de Chantal Church. Senior Danielle Green said there are collection boxes in the foreign language classrooms, and fliers around the school promoting the drive. “It’s helping families in need,” she said.

The Warrior Wellness Club is baking bread to deliver to the Interfaith Nutrition Network’s Mary Brennan Inn, a soup kitchen in Hempstead.

Senior Kyra Lipman discussed the pajama drive being hosted by the Spanish Club. Donations will be used to benefit teens at a homeless shelter in Huntington Station. The club will be collecting items through Dec. 17, and will wrap the pajamas that day so they can be delivered in time for Christmas.

The Phys. Ed. Leaders Club is holding a blanket drive, and the donations will be sent to a Washington, D.C.-area charity to help the homeless. Sophomore Catherine Russo said the club is working with a former Wantagh High School student who attends George Mason University to supply blankets in time for winter in an area with a large homeless population.

The International Outreach Club is selling bracelets, with the proceeds going to help teens afford holiday necessities. It is also taking part in the Hunger Challenge, encouraging students to consume only the amount of food one food stamp would buy for an entire day. “It helps us to fully experience what some people in our community have to,” senior Brandon Blumstein said. “We take a lot of things for granted that we shouldn’t.”

A new initiative this year was an art supply drive, hosted by the National Art Honor Society at the end of November. Treasurer Debra Gallo, who is leading the effort, said that the items will go to a homeless shelter on Long Island to give people there an “escape from reality.”

The General Organization recently concluded No Shave November, which generated about $300 for students in the school with financial needs. Participating teachers grew their facial hair for a month, then at the end shaved a design into it at the request of students who donated to the cause. Co-president Emily Latif said her favorite was the muttonchops look several teachers sported.

Spreading cheer

Next Tuesday, members of Future Business Leaders of America will visit the Parkview Nursing Home in Massapequa. Students will bring gifts and play games with the seniors.

Senior John Burke, recalling last year’s visit, said he is looking forward to going there again. “It was just a great experience,” he said. “It’s great to see the smiles that we put on their faces.”

FBLA Advisor Caren Strouse said the students recently wrapped the gifts for the seniors. “They actually had a lot of fun,” she said, “and they’re looking forward to spending time at the nursing home.”

The Tri-M Music Honor Society will perform at the Sunrise Mall on Dec. 18 to bring attention to the Salvation Army’s holiday collection. The band, orchestra and chorus will spend a few hours entertaining shoppers, said junior Brianna Coltellino.

Members of the Key Club, Junior Chamber and other groups will volunteer their time to assist runners at Saturday’s Snowball Run, a five-mile race through Wantagh.

Brown said that while a lot of schools do good deeds around the holidays, the number of activities going on at one time in Wantagh is noteworthy. “It comes from the kids who say, ‘Let’s do this for the people in need,’” he said. “We’re very proud of that spirit of giving. It suits the season.”

Added Latif, “It shows that we want to give back to the community as much as we can.”