More than 3,000 holiday gifts moved through Uniondale, Roosevelt and Freeport in just three hours last Saturday as Nassau County police officers, volunteers and community partners fanned out across school campuses during the ninth annual NCPD Foundation & Give Squared Holiday Toy Parade.
At the first stop, Walnut Street Elementary School in Uniondale, a crowd gathered quickly. Families arrived in waves, with children weaving through clusters of police officers and volunteers as well as Santa Claus and the Grinch. There were no formal lines, no clipboard checkpoints — just crowds forming naturally as attendees followed the music, the laughter and the systematic unloading of toy boxes.
For County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder, the scene captured the parade’s purpose — a coordinated effort involving Toys of Hope, area school districts, police, the Uniondale Fire Department, volunteers and residents.
“We meet up in Walnut Elementary School – we go to Roosevelt (middle school and high school), and then we go to Freeport (high school),” Ryder said. “So it’s bing, bing, bing.”
The schools were chosen to reflect communities with the greatest need, focusing on underserved areas where support could make the strongest impact. Select students received special slips from teachers to make sure they would get gifts, but no child was turned away.
Each child received a toy, courtesy of Toys of Hope, which is based in Huntington and provides books, toys, clothing and other items to needy and homeless children.
Alexandra Nigolian, chief executive of the Nassau County Police Department Foundation, explained that schools are asked to identify families in need.
Looking ahead, Nigolian said, she was already thinking about how to mark the event’s 10th anniversary. Next year, she said, laughing as she watched the toys being handed out, will have to be even bigger.
“This is all about giving back. Look at these kids,” Ryder added, pointing out children showing their toys to their parents. “People are so messed up today in this world. This is what makes us humble and brings us back to reality.”
Seven-year-old Ehsaan Mohan, a Walnut student, said he was thrilled to receive a Fortnite water gun, and planned to use it despite the cold weather. His Christmas list? “Three more regular Nerf guns,” he said. His visit with Santa at the parade was brief — the “real” one would still come on Dec. 24, he said.
Ehsaan’s mother, Shabana Alam, who serves as the Walnut Street Elementary School PTA president, called the parade a valuable tradition.
“It gets better every year,” she said. “And bigger — which makes it challenging, because we need more manpower. But my kids love it. I went to Walnut Elementary 38 years ago, and it’s a lot easier to enjoy school now.”
Uniondale Schools Superintendent Monique Darrisaw-Akil said the parade showed students a different side of law enforcement.
“Sometimes people have different ideas about the police,” she said. “To see them out here spreading cheer and building relationships with our community — it’s so important.”
Officers danced, mimicked the famous Rockettes kickline, and posed for photos with children. Some kids were especially excited to see mounted police.
At the Roosevelt stop, Superintendent Shawn Wightman praised the district’s nine-year partnership with the police foundations parade and the department with a cherished tradition every December.
“In a time when many in our community are burdened by the rising costs of groceries, utilities, and other essentials, this event represents far more than the distribution of toys.” Wightman wrote in an email after the event. “It serves as a reminder that compassion, service, and community partnerships uplift us, especially during the holiday season.
“We are deeply grateful to the Nassau County Police Department, the NCPD Foundation, and all of the partners who make this possible,” Wightman continued. “Their commitment ensures that thousands of children across Uniondale, Roosevelt, and Freeport experience joy, hope, and a sense of belonging.”
Behind the scenes, Uniondale Kiwanis partnered with Walnut Street to prepare for the event. Volunteers began arriving around 8 a.m. to set up and serve hot chocolate and cookies.
While the parade lasted only a few hours, Ryder noted that toy collection for the following year begins almost immediately after Christmas.
“They collect the day after Christmas,” he said. “People come and drop off their toys for Toys for Tots. We usually work with the Marine Corps (and Toys of Hope) — plus tomorrow we’ll be packed with toys at the Coliseum, as people will just keep coming and dropping off boxes, and we’ll load them up and then give them back out. It’s about giving.
Despite financial challenges, Ryder said, Long Island families still find ways to give.
“It’s harder on people every day in life to give stuff up,” he said. “But they always find time to go buy an extra gift.”
The selection of toys reflected a simple philosophy: Give what kids want. Footballs, Barbies, Legos and dolls were distributed side by side, one thousand for each school.
“This stuff is last year’s stuff,” Ryder said. “We’ll give it away. And next year we’ll give away next year’s stuff.”
As police and firefighters waved goodbye from their trucks, sirens blared and children shouted their thanks.
By the end of the day, 3,000 toys had found new homes in Uniondale, Roosevelt and Freeport — each one a small but a meaningful connection.
