WVCSD helps WTBQ make the season bright for local military children [GALLERY]

It was a very merry morning on December 9, when a contingent of Warwick Valley Central School District students, teachers and administrators visited our neighbors at WTBQ Radio to help pack two truckloads of generous donations collected during the 2024 WTBQ Toys for Military Tots Drive! Our district ambassadors were absolutely delighted to be among the guests attending the truck-loading event at WTBQ, along with WTBQ Station Manager Taylor Truatt Sterling, Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus, members of the Nam Knights, along with active and retired military.

See a gallery from the event below this story!

Thank you to Taylor and WTBQ for continuing this thoughtful, fun and fulfilling tradition, which took shape more than a decade ago. That’s when Taylor and County Executive Stephen M. Neuhaus came together to address what was a need for assistance for our local military families during the holidays. As Taylor wrote in her article about the toy drive in the December 11, 2024 edition of the Warwick Advertiser, “if [these kids] do not have the ability to buy warm coats, we were sure that there would be nary a Christmas gift under the tree.”

It was from that conversation between Taylor and the County Executive that launched the annual WTBQ Toys for Military Tots Drive.

Warwick Valley schools is proud to support the WTBQ toy drive! It is heartwarming every year to see our students, their families and our staff and faculty leap at the opportunity to exercise charity, and to nurture both their community and their community-mindedness. Thank you to the enthusiastic elves at Warwick Valley schools who took the lead in our efforts to support WTBQ, embracing and exhibiting key traits of our district’s Portrait of a Graduate.

At Warwick Valley High School, the Student Senate spearheaded the toy collection effort. Guided by advisor and social studies teacher James O’Brien, students Alyssa Dovico, Lilli Kurosz and Alexa Keys — along with their student senate peers — helped get the word out and gather donations, which resulted in nearly 200 new toys.

“The toy drive is always so much fun to help out with,” said Alyssa, who was at the WTBQ truck-loading event. “Everyone helped get the word out and collect toys during the drive. And knowing that [the gifts] are going to kids who need them, that makes the holidays so much more special.”

See a gallery from the event below this story!

At Park Avenue Elementary School, the Student Council members were the main organizers at their school again this year, just like last year. With the help of advisors Theresa Canfield and Amy Buliung, the students promoted the drive by writing and reading their own promos on the morning announcements, and canvassed the halls with a poster campaign. Their efforts reached the whole Park Avenue student body and the donations came pouring in from Park Avenue families to the tune of 700-plus toys for the WTBQ drive!

Thank you to the members of the Park Avenue Student Senate: Cora Bendykowski, Grace Bendykowski, Brendan Brown, Ellie Conklin, Isabella Crispino, Reagan Loftus, Gavin Martin, Maggie McKnight, Isabelle Piascik, Logan Reilly, Rylee Rodriguez, Leah Romig, Keira Sandfort, and Lily Szpajzman! Additionally, a big shout out to Cody Doherty, a student in Ms. Berghahn’s class, who took the initiative to organize a mini toy drive within his circle of family and friends that resulted in over 70 toys alone. Wow!

At Warwick Valley Middle School, the Student Senate was also responsible for carrying out its own school-wide toy drive in support of WTBQ. The middle school was represented at the WTBQ event by its officers, president and vice president Mariana Pineda-Pinzon and Bleek Thompson, as well as their advisor, math teacher Mark Botta.

See a gallery from the event below this story!

“We set a schoolwide goal of 100 toys and we ended up with more than 200,” said Mr. Botta. “The middle school loves to take part in events like this. We are always looking for ways to better our school, our community, and the world. Warwick is an incredible community, and the students and their families are always so generous and supportive of our initiatives!”

Principal Johnna Maraia and members of Sanfordville Elementary School’s Student Leadership Club walked over to WTBQ to help out as well. The group was instrumental in rallying Sanfordville families to donate more than 100 toys this year. The group from Sanfordville included Leadership Club advisors Veronica DeGuisto and Lauren Hughes, and student representatives Madeline Taylor, Abigail Mentone, Arianna Vasquez, Carly Orthmann, Samantha Kobrick, Mila Bogert, Meave Conforti and Elizabeth Foley.

“We are incredibly proud of our elementary students, families, and staff for their heartfelt participation in the WTBQ Toys for Military Tots program,” said Ms. Maraia. “This initiative not only brings joy to children of our military families but also reinforces the values of compassion and gratitude within our school community. Together, we are making a meaningful difference in the lives of those who serve our country and their families. We thank everyone in our community for their generosity and support!”