SANTA VISITS PHILLIPS AVENUE DURING "FIVE DAYS OF PEACE AND GOOD WILL"
(December 26, 2012) This Santa drove a semi instead of a sleigh. His elves all had one thing in common--they have a soft place in their hearts for kids--and love to see their faces light up.
"The gifts that we received, notes Principal Debra Rodgers, "are from some amazing organizations and people that embrace the spirit of giving. On Thursday, December 20, Santa and some of the nicest elves in New York arrived at our school with a tractor trailer full of items for our children. This group of people have supported our school in the past with the gift of both a Phillips Avenue T-shirt and a sweatshirt for every student and by being a platinum sponsor ($100.00 donation) of our annual Community Festival, but they really out did our wildest expectations today."
Joe Rabb, one of Santa's helpers, explained, "The donations come from a number of sources. We received about 600 letters to Santa from children. The letters differentiate between what the children 'need' and what they 'want'. We try to give them some of both. Then the shopping and the wrapping begins. The smallest children get a huge red bag full of gifts, and the older children get a duffle bag full of gifts. Some of the most common needs are hats, coats, and gloves. This is really a grassroots charity--100% of the donations go directly to the children. Yellow Freight (YRC) donates the use of the tractor trailer for transporting the gifts and often the stores where the shopping takes place learn where the gifts are going and chip in or discount gifts."
The smiles for Santa as he talks with the children is almost as big as the big red and white bag of gifts he gives them.
"The gifts that we received, notes Principal Debra Rodgers, "are from some amazing organizations and people that embrace the spirit of giving. On Thursday, December 20, Santa and some of the nicest elves in New York arrived at our school with a tractor trailer full of items for our children. This group of people have supported our school in the past with the gift of both a Phillips Avenue T-shirt and a sweatshirt for every student and by being a platinum sponsor ($100.00 donation) of our annual Community Festival, but they really out did our wildest expectations today."
Joe Rabb, one of Santa's helpers, explained, "The donations come from a number of sources. We received about 600 letters to Santa from children. The letters differentiate between what the children 'need' and what they 'want'. We try to give them some of both. Then the shopping and the wrapping begins. The smallest children get a huge red bag full of gifts, and the older children get a duffle bag full of gifts. Some of the most common needs are hats, coats, and gloves. This is really a grassroots charity--100% of the donations go directly to the children. Yellow Freight (YRC) donates the use of the tractor trailer for transporting the gifts and often the stores where the shopping takes place learn where the gifts are going and chip in or discount gifts."
The smiles for Santa as he talks with the children is almost as big as the big red and white bag of gifts he gives them.
"FIVE DAYS OF PEACE AND GOOD WILL"
(December 18, 2012) Each year just prior to the holiday break, the Phillips Avenue School’s students and staff celebrate "Five Days of Peace and Good Will".
Each day during the week, the students receive a gift. Some are gifts that they can hold in their hand (toothbrushes, books, sweatshirts, small toys) and some are gifts that they will hold in their hearts (e.g. a performance, like the one given by children's singer Janice Buckner).
"The gifts that we receive, notes Principal Debra Rodgers, "are from some amazing organizations and people that embrace the spirit of giving. On Thursday, December 20, at 9:30AM members of Jocelyn’s Operation Holiday Spirit (www.johsgift.org) will arrive at our school with a tractor trailer full of items for our children. This organization has supported our school in the past with the gift of both a Phillips Avenue T-shirt and a sweatshirt for every student and by being a platinum sponsor ($100.00 donation) of our annual Community Festival."
"Throughout the week," notes Phillips Avenue Principal Debra Rodgers, "we encourage our students to find ways that they can give as well as receive. This year in the spirit of giving," shares Ms. Rodgers, "we are encouraging students, families, and friends to assist us by donating items from the list below."
All of the items donated will be given to Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation and R.M.T.A.S. (Riverhead Move the Animal Shelter). If you would like to make a donation, please bring any of the items listed below to the Phillips Avenue Holiday Breakfast on Friday, December 21st, 8:15AM to 8:50AM.
Flash lights
Latex gloves
Paper Towels
5 gallon buckets
Batteries: AA, AAA, D
Gently used towels, blankets
Dog and Cat Food (wet & dry)
Ziploc freezer bags (quart and gallon)
Garbage bags: 13 gallon, 30 gallon, 50 gallon
Clear plastic totes: 7 quart size (14” x 8” x 5”) or 92 quart size.
Each day during the week, the students receive a gift. Some are gifts that they can hold in their hand (toothbrushes, books, sweatshirts, small toys) and some are gifts that they will hold in their hearts (e.g. a performance, like the one given by children's singer Janice Buckner).
"The gifts that we receive, notes Principal Debra Rodgers, "are from some amazing organizations and people that embrace the spirit of giving. On Thursday, December 20, at 9:30AM members of Jocelyn’s Operation Holiday Spirit (www.johsgift.org) will arrive at our school with a tractor trailer full of items for our children. This organization has supported our school in the past with the gift of both a Phillips Avenue T-shirt and a sweatshirt for every student and by being a platinum sponsor ($100.00 donation) of our annual Community Festival."
"Throughout the week," notes Phillips Avenue Principal Debra Rodgers, "we encourage our students to find ways that they can give as well as receive. This year in the spirit of giving," shares Ms. Rodgers, "we are encouraging students, families, and friends to assist us by donating items from the list below."
All of the items donated will be given to Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation and R.M.T.A.S. (Riverhead Move the Animal Shelter). If you would like to make a donation, please bring any of the items listed below to the Phillips Avenue Holiday Breakfast on Friday, December 21st, 8:15AM to 8:50AM.
Flash lights
Latex gloves
Paper Towels
5 gallon buckets
Batteries: AA, AAA, D
Gently used towels, blankets
Dog and Cat Food (wet & dry)
Ziploc freezer bags (quart and gallon)
Garbage bags: 13 gallon, 30 gallon, 50 gallon
Clear plastic totes: 7 quart size (14” x 8” x 5”) or 92 quart size.