5 Ways to Give More This Holiday Season

The warmth and joy of the Christmas season comes from the sharing of gifts and gathering around a table with family and friends - not all are so fortunate. 

In the Town of Smithtown, there are families and neighbors who could use a little help making the holiday season a little brighter, a little merrier and warmer with a new coat or clothing. 

Here is our list of local food, clothing and toy drives seeking donations this holiday season: 

Food

• The Smithtown Special Library District is collecting canned goods and non-perishable food items at each of its four branches for "Neighbors Helping Neighbors," a food drive benefitting the Smithtown Township Emergency Food Pantry. 
  Residents can find cardboard donation boxes in the lobbies or near the checkout desks in the four library branches: Commack, Kings Park, Nesconset and the main Smithtown branch. 
  
  
• Long Island Cares, a Hauppauge-based food bank that helps serve needy families across Nassau and Suffolk county, will accept individual and food drive donations on Mondays to Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. It is located at 10 David Drive in Hauppauge. 
  

• The Smithtown Special Library District is participating in the U.S. Marines Reserves annual Toys for Tots Campaign. Drop off new, unused children's toys in each of its four branches: Commack, Kings Park, Nesconset and Smithtown.
  Drop off a toy today to make sure it reaches a less fortunate child in time for Christmas. 
  
  
• Kings Park Dance Center is hosting a Toys for Hope Holiday Carnival this Friday, Dec. 20 from 7:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. Parents can drop off their child for a festival winter night full of music, dancing, arts and crafts, and more. 
  The event is free but please bring a new, unwrapped toy for a child or monetary donation for Toys for Hope, a nonprofit organization that helps homeless children and their families.  

• Wear your ugliest holiday sweater to Suffolk Legis. John Kennedy's Post-Holiday Christmas Ugly Sweater Bonanza on Dec. 30, from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the W. H. Rogers Legislative Building off Route 347. Kennedy will be collecting non-perishable and canned food, new or gently used clothing and toys for the less fortunate.
  Also, give the gift of life by setting an appointment to donate blood. Appointments can be made in advance by calling 631-854-3735. Walk-ins are also welcome.