OBHS Brightens Holidays for People in Need

By Stefanie Sadocha

The Oyster Bay High School Student Council is hosting their annual toy drive, spreading holiday spirit to local families in need. The council is collecting new toys to send to the Interreligious Faith and Human Needs Council of Oyster Bay, who will distribute the items to families in the OBEN community. In addition to the toy drive, new and gently used coats are being collected as well.
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The students at OBHS play a prominent role in making the drive a success. The OBHS Executive Student Council organizes the event, but it is up to the students to bring in items to make the event a success.

Caitlin Fuschetto, a junior, said, “The toy and coat drives are a great opportunity for students to give back to the community. Student Council makes it easy for us by setting up a drop off location in the lower gym lobby.”

The Interreligious Faith and Human Needs Council is a local group that provides items for families who are in need throughout the community. The coats will be collected by Community Housing Innovations, which is a homeless shelter that has numerous locations throughout Long Island.  

In addition to collecting items, Student Council sells hot chocolate and baked goods during lunch periods on the day before Thanksgiving break. All of the proceeds that were made this year will be used to purchase more toys for donation. 

Ms. Urthiel, advisor of the Executive Student Council, shared, “Seeing the families receive the items the students donated is so special. You can see their appreciation and gratitude because an item that a student may have no longer wanted is making the holidays special for someone else.” 

In addition to the toy and coat drives, the Executive Student Council strives to help the Oyster Bay community, both in and out of school. They work to increase student involvement by organizing Spirit Week. Throughout the week, each grade fund raises for a different local charity. Additionally, they increase student attendance at sporting events by creating different themes, including Hawaiian and Neon, for numerous home games.

Student Council is currently collecting toys in the Lower Gym Lobby, and they would greatly appreciate your donation! Thank you to everyone who has helped make the drive a success!