The Rumson Country Day School community has made good on a more a century-old holiday tradition of giving — 2,000 toys' worth of good.
The school's students, parents, and staff worked together on the annual Operation Sleighbells, via Family and Children's Services in Long Branch, and collected nearly 2,000 toys for children in need.
Among the gifts donated were: clothing, toys, books and gift cards.
The Operation Sleighbells drive is conducted via a Giving Tree at the school where roughly 500 tags are placed, each representing the holiday gift wish of a child. The students usually select the gift tags of a peer in their grade level, a release said.
"Peer-to-peer giving also fosters empathy in young children in a way that is meaningful to them," it added.
The Rumson Country Day School has participated in Operation Sleighbells since 1999, the release said. Over the course of those 14 years, the school's contributions have brought a brighter holiday to more than 6,000 Family and Children's Services-affiliated children.
Participation in the program is part of the school's culture and community service curriculum.
Parent Council’s Nicole Croddick, chair, and Tiffany Senft, co-chair, led the Giving Tree committee this year.
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