South Colonie announces dates for long-standing “Stuff the Bus” Toys for Tots Campaign

Marine helps to move toys
U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Sgt. Ted Kleniewski helps ‘Stuff the Bus’ at the Toys for Tots kick-off event on Monday, Nov. 29, 2021 at Saddlewood Elementary.

South Colonie Central School District announced today its continued partnership with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and the Village of Colonie for the 2022 “Stuff the Bus” Toys for Tots Campaign. For the 16th consecutive year, the district will host numerous toy collection drives to ensure children in the community receive gifts during the holiday season. 

Kick-off Toy Raid at Veeder Elementary

South Colonie Central School District will kick-off this year’s campaign at Veeder Elementary on Monday, Nov. 28  at 10 a.m.

Collection drives to be held at South Colonie locations

Additionally, the South Colonie Transportation Department will facilitate toy pick-ups at the following dates and locations:

    • Tuesday, Nov. 29 at Saddlewood Elementary from 9:30 to 10 a.m. 
    • Wednesday, Nov. 30 at Shaker Road Elementary from 9:30 to 10 a.m.
    • Friday, Dec. 2 at Roessleville Elementary from 9:30 to 10 a.m. 
    • Monday, Dec. 5 at Forest Park Elementary from 9:15 to 9:45 a.m.
    • Tuesday, Dec. 6 at Sand Creek Middle School from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m.
    • Wednesday, Dec. 7 at Lisha Kill Middle School from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m.

A toy-drive will also be held at the Village Recreation Center in Colonie.  Families can drop unwrapped toys there until close of business on Thursday, Dec. 8. 

Light parade at CCHS to culminate campaign

This year’s campaign will culminate with a  “Lights in the Park”, drive through style show held at Colonie High School on Saturday, Dec. 10 from 6 to 9 p.m. 

“Our Colonie families can come out and enjoy a fun festive evening while supporting a great cause,” said Brian Scalzo, associate principal at CCHS. “Families are asked to bring a new unwrapped gift as entry to the event.”

The event will be open to the public. All toys collected will be donated to support Toys for Tots.

Inviting the South Colonie community to participate 

The collection drives will provide South Colonie families with the opportunity to donate new, unwrapped toys for distribution to children in need. South Colonie families who are interested in participating should send their child to school with the toy or make arrangements to drop off the toy prior to the scheduled collection date.  Residents of the community are also invited to participate by bringing a new, unwrapped toy to any of the participating locations or to the district office. 

“We are proud to partner once again with the U.S. Marines Corps and the Village of Colonie to continue this holiday tradition to support families in our community,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. David Perry.  “Inflation has certainly placed a financial burden for many and we are thankful to be able to contribute to children in our community by working with our partners to facilitate these drives. Not only will it give children in our schools the opportunity to model the importance of expressing empathy for others, but South Colonie families will also be able to benefit from the program.”

For more information about the Toys for Tots program, visit www.capitalregiontoysfortots.org.