Santa Claus is Coming to Oyster Bay

In the town of Oyster Bay, excitement is building for this holiday season as residents work to organize the largest toy drive in the area’s history, aiming to collect over 50,000 gifts for children in need.

“The generosity here is quite remarkable. In 2020, we had 19,000 toys donated. Then it went to 25,000, followed by 34,000, and so on—last year, we reached 42,000 toys,” shared Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino.

“Santa is going to need a bigger sleigh this year,” he added, expressing hope to hit that ambitious 50,000 mark for the very first time.

The toy drive event, in collaboration with Toys For Tots, is scheduled at Burns Park in Massapequa on December 6 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It promises to be a fun-filled day for kids, complete with a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Reflecting on the past five years, Saladino noted that this surge in donations offered a glimpse of hope during the pandemic, particularly when the town previously averaged only about 4,000 gifts each year before 2019.

The shift began when social distancing necessitated drive-through toy donations, which significantly increased participation—word spread quickly through the community.

This initiative evolved into a beloved holiday tradition, with high school students regularly joining in to distribute gifts and spread cheer.

Now, adults are also encouraging their friends and family to contribute. One local resident, involved in several bowling leagues, has turned his community into a big donor pool, packing his truck more full of toys each year.

Cars and motorcycle clubs have also embraced the cause, treating donations as a rite of passage. “Some folks bring in several bikes, just because they want to help,” remarked Andrew Rothstein, operations manager for the Town of Oyster Bay. “It’s incredible how eager people are to give.”

Can They Reach 50,000?

Residents are excited about reaching that magical number of 50,000 for the first time, and this year marks the first time the town has made the toy drive a target-driven event.

Frank Yao, who resides in Nassau, believes it’s challenging but achievable: “I think more and more people are open to helping.” Observing its growth, he noted ongoing discussions about the true impact of participating in this initiative.

For those looking to contribute, Rothstein mentioned that unwrapped gifts should be brought to the park. Popular items over the years include Nerf guns, dolls, Lego sets, stuffed animals, and board games—perfect suggestions for first-time donors.

The day will also be special for numerous children born amid the pandemic who will get their chance to meet Santa for the very first time, even handing him their Christmas letters on stage.

“This is a big deal for many kids,” Rothstein noted, adding that numerous children come to donate toys they have chosen for their families. It really captures the spirit of the holidays around here.