South And Central Honor Memory of Darien 7-Year-Old

DARIEN, IL — Hinsdale South and Hinsdale Central are teaming up this holiday season to celebrate the memory of a 7-year-old boy from Darien who lost his battle with cancer two years ago, according to a school district news release.

The Hornet Leadership Board from South is working with several clubs from Central to collect new, unused and unwrapped toys that will be donated to a toy drive organized in honor of Joey Ventimiglia, who died in 2018 from a rare form of cancer called diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, or DIPG.

Students, staff, families and community members can drop off their donations at the entrance to South’s cafeteria (north side of the building off Elm Street) during a drive-by event 1:15 p.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 8. The event is expected to feature music, candy canes and Santa hats, as well as South swag for every 10th car.

Anyone who is unable to attend this event can bring their donations to South from Dec. 1 to Dec. 10. They will be collected from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily in the foyer that is off the school's circle drive entrance.

You can access additional information about the South and Central toy drive by visiting this website. You can also learn more about Joey Ventimiglia by visiting this Facebook page.