Simsbury High School's First Annual Toy Drive a Big Success

Submitted release 

Simsbury High School students successfully sponsored their first annual “Toy Drive & Stuff a Cruiser” Event, collecting 150 toys during the two-week long drive during December.

The idea was conceived by Mr. David Salonia’s SHS Connect (homeroom) class.

Toys collected were stuffed into two police cruisers, transported to The Hartford Salvation Army, and then distributed to needy children in the Hartford area. Along with support from Simsbury Police, Holloway’s Appliance Store provided their truck to help with toy distribution.

Students in grades 9, 10, and 11 are required to participate in SHS Connect, which meets twice weekly for 16 minutes. Salonia said, “as the name implies, it’s all about making connections with each other and applying the “Trojan Code” principles of Respect, Honor, and Responsibility to all of our behaviors, both inside and outside of school.” 

During SHS Connect sessions, students learn problem-solving, leadership, and teamwork skills that can be applied to all facets of their life.

Junior/student mentor Lukas Stone remarked, “the Toy Drive and Stuff a Cruiser event is a fine example of what students can do to make our corner of the world a better place.”

Salonia said, “it was a fun and important community service project for all who participated!  We hope to make the Toy Drive and Stuff a Cruiser an annual event.  Next year, we will start earlier in December so more toys can be collected. A sincere and heartfelt thank you goes out to all who helped with this event.”