Thursday, October 1, 2026
The historic JH Coles Homestead house was the site of the annual Toys for Tots initiative in Glen Cove. Since 1947, the Marine Corps and Toys for Tots has made a difference in the lives of American families by creating a magical winter wonderland for children. The hour-long toy drive took place just before Christmas on Dec. 19 and was sponsored by the First City Project Collective Inc. and the Glen Cove Economic Opportunity Council. With the help of the EOC, an extension of FCP Collective Inc.'s ongoing outreach, children from various parts of Nassau County felt the holiday cheer in the city and received toys, cookies and hot chocolate.
Roughly 100 smiling youngsters excitedly waited to receive gifts with their fellow classmates. The annual good-cause event attracted visitors from near and far, even as far as the North Pole. Santa stopped by to say thanks for the donations which help make his job a little easier.
The Glen Cove Police, Auxiliary Police and Fire Department donated their trucks and cars for the event as well.
The event was an outgrowth of the Toys for Tots drive founded 12 years ago by FCP Collective Inc. board members Joe LaPadula and Jon Holzer. It continues under their leadership.
Presently, the Marine Toys for Tots Program distributes an average of 18 million toys to 7 million less fortunate children annually.
“It’s such an incredible feeling to look at these kids’ faces when they received a gift,” Delia DeRiggi-Whitton, a Nassau County legislator and Glen Cove EOC, FCP Collective Inc. board member, said. “Each and every one of them was so polite. It’s a lot of work that goes into this, a lot of people donate too. I wish they could see their faces. “
Irma Jeanty, director of the Glen Cove EOC for Nassau County, said that when she received the call to help organize the event she was delighted to help.
Lapadula, co-chairman for Toys for Tots, has owned Martino Auto Concepts in Glen Cove since 1981. Since then, he has been on the board of the Youth Bureau and on the City’s BID committee. Over the years, Lapadula has been involved with various charities including those that call attention to the city’s youth and others that call attention to diabetes research.
“Being that I’ve been involved in charities all these years, I thought it would be great to give back to the community I’ve been involved with,” he said.
“I’m happy with the generosity of Joe Lapadula and his organization,” Pamela Panzenbeck, Glen Cove Mayor, said. “He’s always thinking of others, and he worked hard to make a lot of children happy.”
