Small Town, Big Heart: Oyster Bay’s Toy Drive Aims for Record-Breaking Season

In the picturesque Town of Oyster Bay on Long Island, an extraordinary holiday tradition is unfolding that captures the true spirit of the season. What began as a modest local toy drive has blossomed into a remarkable community movement that has grown exponentially each year. Since 2020, this small town has been on a heartwarming mission to ensure no child goes without a gift during the holidays. This year, they’ve set their sights on an ambitious milestone – collecting over 50,000 toys for children in need, which would be their largest donation ever. “The people here are so generous. We did 19,000 toys in 2020, then 25,000 the next year, then 34,000, then 38,000, and last year was 42,000,” says Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino with evident pride. “This year, Santa will need a bigger sleigh. We want to hit that 50,000 number for the first time.” This remarkable growth represents more than just increasing numbers – it symbolizes a community united in generosity, proving that even in challenging times, kindness can flourish and expand beyond expectations.

The story of Oyster Bay’s extraordinary toy drive is particularly poignant because it emerged from one of the most difficult periods in recent memory. Before 2020, the town’s annual toy collection was modest, averaging around 4,000 gifts gathered at various municipal buildings. Then came the pandemic, forcing organizers to reimagine their approach. They transformed Massapequa’s Burns Park into a drive-through toy depot to accommodate social distancing requirements – and something magical happened. That first pandemic year, donations nearly quintupled, and the community’s response has grown stronger every year since. “This is the one positive out of that time,” reflects Saladino. “If not for the pandemic, we never would have had this idea, and so many kids wouldn’t have had smiles on Christmas morning.” The reimagined event, partnering with Toys For Tots, has become a cherished local tradition that brings together residents from all walks of life in a common cause, demonstrating how adversity can sometimes birth beautiful new beginnings.

The event has evolved into much more than just a toy collection – it’s become a celebration of community spirit that spans generations and social circles. High school sports teams arrive in uniform to donate gifts and spread cheer. Local car enthusiast groups and motorcycle clubs have made participation a rite of passage among their members. Andrew Rothstein, the Town of Oyster Bay Director of Operations who manages the drive, shares stories of extraordinary individual contributions: “There was one man in three bowling leagues who got almost all of his peers to donate. Each year, he fills his red pickup truck with more toys than the season prior.” Another community member faithfully donates five or six bicycles annually without fanfare, simply because they want to help. These aren’t isolated examples but represent the countless ways residents have embraced and expanded this tradition, reaching out to friends, family, and colleagues to join the cause. The result is a community-wide movement that grows organically each year through word of mouth and shared goodwill.

This year marks a significant shift in the drive’s approach, as organizers have explicitly set a numerical goal for the first time. The ambitious target of 50,000 toys has energized the community, adding an element of friendly challenge to the charitable endeavor. “It will be tough, but I think we can do it. More and more people want to help,” says Nassau resident Frank Yao, who has been participating for the past three years after hearing about the event through the community grapevine. “I’ve seen this grow year by year. I keep hearing more people talking about how meaningful it is to be part of.” For many residents, the drive has become an essential part of their holiday traditions – a tangible way to embody the spirit of giving that defines the season. The excitement around potentially reaching the 50,000 milestone has created buzz throughout Oyster Bay and neighboring communities, inspiring both loyal participants and newcomers to contribute to this record-breaking effort.

The culmination of these efforts will take place on December 6th at Massapequa’s Burns Park, where from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the community will come together for a day of celebration and giving. Rothstein advises that donations should be unwrapped, with popular items including Nerf guns, dolls, Lego sets, stuffed animals, and board games. Beyond just collecting toys, the event offers a magical experience for the youngest members of the community. Children are invited to walk on stage and personally deliver their Christmas letters to Santa and Mrs. Claus, who make a special appearance. “For a lot of kids, this has been the first time they ever met Santa, actually,” Rothstein notes, highlighting how the event has become particularly meaningful for “pandemic babies” who missed traditional holiday experiences during their earliest years. These personal interactions add an extra dimension of wonder and connection to an already meaningful day.

What makes Oyster Bay’s toy drive truly special is how it embodies the purest essence of the holiday spirit. It’s not just about the impressive numbers or the logistical achievement of collecting tens of thousands of gifts – though those aspects are certainly remarkable. The heart of this tradition lies in the way it brings out the best in people of all ages and backgrounds, united in the simple desire to bring joy to children in need. “You really see what the holidays are all about here,” Rothstein observes, noting that many of the most touching moments come when children themselves arrive eager to donate toys on behalf of their families. This intergenerational chain of giving creates a powerful legacy that extends far beyond the immediate impact of the gifts. As the Oyster Bay community pushes toward their ambitious goal this holiday season, they’re demonstrating that the most meaningful traditions often grow from humble beginnings, and that even in a world full of challenges, generosity and community spirit continue to thrive and inspire. Whether they reach exactly 50,000 toys or not, the true measure of success is already evident in the countless connections forged and the spirit of giving that permeates this small Long Island town.