U.S. Marines Visit Harbor Country Day School to Collect Thousands of Toys Donated to Suffolk County Toys for Tots Program

LongIsland.com

Harbor Country Day has contributed to the Toys for Tots drive since 1998.

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(L-R): Lynda McKenna, Mike Guido, HCDS Upper School Students, U.S. Marines.

Photo by: Harbor Country Day School

St. James, NY - December 13, 2017 - United States Marines from the Sixth Communications Battalion, Alpha Company, in Farmingdale, NY, visited Harbor Country Day School in St. James to collect thousands of toys donated to the Suffolk County Toys for Tots program. The toys were donated by Harbor Country Day School students, as well as members of the surrounding community. In addition to collecting toys from its own students, Harbor Country Day serves as a drop-off location for the community.
 

HCDS Toys for Tots 2017. Photo Credit: Harbor Country Day School
 
Harbor Country Day has contributed to the Toys for Tots drive since 1998, when former Harbor employee Mike Guido instituted the program. Now retired from the school, Mr. Guido directs the delivery of toys from various sites throughout Smithtown to Harbor Country Day and other drop-off locations. TheJohn W. Cooke V.F.W. Post 395 of St. James, of which Mr. Guido is a member,contributesfunds every year to the Harbor Country Day School toy drive. Students of the school then use those funds to purchase additional toys for the drive. 
 

8th grader carries toys to Marine truck. Photo Credit: Harbor Country Day School
 
“The Toys for Tots program is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year and we at Harbor Country Day are celebrating our 60th anniversary, so it’s only fitting that this has been one of our most successful toy drives since we started participating in Toys for Tots nearly 20 years ago.” said John Cissel, Head of School for Harbor Country Day School. “Every year that the Marines visit the school to pick up the toys, I find myself feeling such a strong sense of pride in our students -- for the deep respect they have for the program and for the visiting Marines, for their commitment to hosting a hugely successful toy drive, and for the generosity they and their families show during this time of year. We are, and always will be, honored to be a part of this fantastic program.” 
 

Upper schoolers help load toys onto Marine truck. Photo Credit: Harbor Country Day School 
 
About Harbor Country Day School
Founded in 1958 by conscientious parents, Harbor Country Day School is an independent, co-educational day school for children from preschool through 8th grade situated in St. James’ Village of Head of the Harbor. The school employs a whole-child approach to education, wherein its rigorous curriculum is supported by a broad program in its academic, athletic, advisory, and visual and performing arts departments designed to develop all aspects of each child's talents and interests. Harbor Country Day School’s summer camp program, Camp Harbor, is among the leading summer camp programs on Long Island. The school’s mission to “cherish childhood, cultivate wonder, and inspire confident learners and leaders” underscores every child’s experience at Harbor Country Day School and ensures that all of its graduates are prepared to lead fulfilling lives filled with wonder, confidence, and many successes. 
 
Harbor Country Day School is chartered by the New York State Board of Regents and is accredited by and a member of the New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS).  It is a non-sectarian, nonprofit organization under section 501(c) (3) of the IRS Code governed by a self-perpetuating board of trustees.  For more information, visit www.hcdsny.org.   
 
About Toys for Tots
The mission of the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November, and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in the community in which the campaign is conducted.The program helps those children experience the joy of Christmas and plays an active role in their healthy growth and development. During the annual three-month toy collection and distribution campaign, the program unites all members of local communities in a common cause and gives everyone an opportunity to contribute to the future of their community. The Toys for Tots program is the nation’s largest holiday toy drive.