Long Island Holiday Donation Guide

The holidays are here and it's a great time to give back to those in need.

On Long Island there are plenty of opportunities to give gifts, money or food to the less fortunate.

Here's what you need to know:

DONATIONS:

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island (Levittown and Islandia) - Accepting donations for underprivileged teens including gift cards, electronic games, bath and makeup sets, jewelry, iPods, etc. Ends Dec. 14. Website: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island
• Salvation Army (Several Long Island locations) - The Salvation Army will be accepting monetary donations at several locations as well as clothing, furniture, cars, household goods and appliances for local people in need. Website: Salvation Army

TOY DRIVES:

• Big Tom Berg Memorial Toy Drive (Bohemia and Bellmore) - Delivers unwrapped toys for children in need. Ends Dec. 18. Website: Big Tom Berg Memorial Toy Drive
• BounceU Farmingdale (Farmingdale) - Collecting new toys for Marine Corp's Toys for Tots program. Ends Dec. 20. Website: BounceU
• John Theissen Children's Foundation 19th Annual Toy Drive (Wantagh and West Babylon) - The drive will provide boys for sick and underprivileged children in Long Island. Ends Dec. 18. Website: John Theissen Children's Foundation
• Town of Oyster Bay Toys for Tots (Oyster Bay, Massapequa, Syosset, and Bethpage) - The Town of Oyster Bay will be collecting new toys for children in the community. Ends Dec. 15. Website: Town of Oyster Bay
• 6th Annual Holiday Wrapping Party With A Purpose (Long Beach) - The City of Long Beach will be hosting an event to accept new, unwrapped toys for children across Long Island. Date: Dec. 10 and Dec. 17. Website: City of Long Beach
• South Fork Natural History Museum and Nature Center (Bridgehampton) - The Long Island museum is holding its annual Toy Drive in support of The Retreat, a domestic violence agency in East Hampton. Ends: Dec. 14.
• Angel Tree Donation (Town of Hempstead) - Hempstead Town officials will be working with CSEA Local 880 and the Salvation Army to sponsor its annual donation drive in an effort to help economically disadvantaged children during the holidays. Those attending the ceremony will have an opportunity to donate an unwrapped toy to the cause. Ends: Dec. 12. Website: Town of Hempstead

CLOTHING DRIVES:

• Coats for Kids (Oyster Bay, Massapequa, Syosset, and Bethpage) - The Town of Oyster Bay and the Nassau Cleaners Association will be accepting gently used coats, hats, scarves, and gloves to needy children and adults throughout Oyster Bay. Ends Dec. 15.
• Douglas Elliman Dress For Success Clothing Drive (Sag Harbor) - The local real estate company is collecting clothes for Drive for Success. Recommended clothing for donation includes suits, dresses, pants, blouses, sweaters and jackets. Ends Dec. 23. Click here for more info.

FOOD DRIVES:

• Long Island Cares (Freeport, Lindenhurst and Huntington Station) - The local food bank will be collecting non perishable food items at their three Long Island emergency food pantry. Food will be distributed to families in need on Dec. 18. Website: Long Island Cares
• People's United Bank Annual Holiday Food Drive (East Northport) - Local radio K-98.3 along with People's United Bank will be collecting food to help Island Harvest. The collection will take place on Dec. 16. Website: K-98.3
• Island Harvest (Several Long Island locations) - Island Harvest will be collecting food at several restaurants and locations across Long Island for families in need. Ends Dec. 31. Website: Island Harvest
• Smithtown Food Pantry (Smithtown) - The food pantry will be collecting food and donations to provide meals to local families at the seven local churches. Website: Smithtown Food Pantry

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