(UNIONDALE, N.Y.) - Nassau County Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton (D – Glen Cove) thanked a trio of young philanthropic volunteers for their tireless efforts to make the holiday season brighter for countless deserving families in our area.
Twin brothers Louis and Jake Stagnitta, both third graders, from Babylon have been assisting with the annual Toys for Tots drive at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum for the last three years. So too has high school student Julia Xenia, who hails from upstate Katona, N.Y. They did so in coordination with Oyster Bay’s John Tabako, who has supported the drive since being launched in Glen Cove 13 years ago by Joe LaPadula and Jon Holzer of Martino Auto Concepts.
During the Sunday, Dec. 3 event, Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton presented the young volunteers with Nassau County Legislature Citations in recognition of their contributions toward making this the largest one-day Toys for Tots collection drive in America. Last year’s drive gathered more than 166,000 individual donated items, Toys for Tots officials said; this year’s proceeds are still being counted and processed.
“One of the greatest lessons of the holiday season is that you can make a difference at any age – and these amazing young people exemplify that message,” Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton said. “The efforts of people like Louis, Jake and Julia’s efforts have been instrumental in making this Toys for Tots drive the amazing success that it is, and I thank them and John Tabako from the bottom of my heart for their dedication to brightening the lives of deserving families throughout our region.”
Residents can continue to support Toys for Tots at drop-off locations in their community during the holidays. Visit toysfortots.org to find a location near you or to make a monetary donation.
PHOTO CAPTION – From left, Legislator-elect Scott Davis and Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton honor twin brothers Louis and Jake Stagnitta and Julia Xenia outside Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale on Sunday, Dec. 3.
PHOTO CREDIT – Photo by Peter M. Budraitis