Syosset Students Hold Holiday Drives to Help The Less Fortunate

A.P. Willits Elementary School is one of many schools throughout the Syosset Central School District that have been conducting coat, clothing and other charitable drives to help others less fortunate this holiday season.

The A.P. Willits Student Council have been collecting unwrapped toys donated by students and their families for the John Theissen Foundation to benefit sick or economically disadvantaged children ranging from newborns to age 18.

Additionally, faculty members at A.P. Willits School raised money for the cause through their “Dress Down and Donate” initiative.

John Theissen started the foundation 24 years ago after being inspired by a young girl who selflessly presented him with a teddy bear while he was in the hospital battling a serious illness.

Story by Syntax, Photo courtesy of the Syosset CSD: Pictured from left are A.P. Willits Student Council President Zach Kam, Vice President Griffin Hon, Secretary Maggie Chen, and advisers Lorraine Avazis and Elissa Wagner alongside the toys they collected from the school for the John Theissen Foundation.