The teamwork and caring shown by Tuttle Avenue students will make this holiday season special for so many children and families in the community.  

Students in Nicole Rau’s and Lisa Maffia’s class held a school toy drive, and the number of gifts was further increased through donations from the Suffolk County Police Conference and its president David Samartino, who is also an Eastport-South Manor board of education trustee.  

Ms. Rau’s class first donated gifts to a family they adopted earlier in the month. School social worker Helen Gardella also donated some of the collected gifts to families in the community. There were enough gifts collected to further meet the needs of the organization Helping Makes U Happy. The students were thrilled to meet Helping Makes U Happy representatives Keith Caputo and Cassie Caputo who personally thanked the generous students for their kind deeds. Any additional remaining gifts also benefitted the Eastport Bible Church in Eastport.  

Mrs. Rau told the students she was extremely proud of their efforts and encouraged them to stop and think about the children they are helping.

Date Added: 12/18/2024