Earlier today, the South Colonie Central School District kicked off 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 events to ensure children in the community receive gifts during the holiday season.
South Colonie Central School District kicked off this year’s campaign with a toy raid at Veeder Elementary.
“Our fourth-grade students alongside Sgt. Ted Kleniewski gathered and collected toys brought in by the Veeder School Community and then Stuffed the Bus’ with Toys for Tots with the help of our transportation department,” said principal Nora Sullivan. “The students and families of Veeder Elementary are so generous and we could not be more proud to continue this tradition of supporting the local community.”
In addition to the kick-off event held at Veeder, the South Colonie Transportation Department will also facilitate toy pick-ups at the following dates and locations:
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- 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.
For the second year in a row, the district’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. The event will be open to the public and the entrance fee to the event is an unwrapped toy. All toys collected will be donated to support Toys for Tots.
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.
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, to the Village of Colonie Recreation Center, or to the South Colonie 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 on 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.”
More Information
For more information about the Toys for Tots program or to make a donation, visit www.capitalregiontoysfortots.org.