WOODBURY — The Nonnewaug chapter of the Future Business Leaders of America, the Woodbury Future Farmers of America, and the Nonnewaug chapter of the Distributive Education Clubs of America hosted a toy drive for children in need of gifts this holiday season.

For the past 10 years, Nonnewaug’s FBLA and FFA chapters have hosted toy drives for the community. In most years, people would donate any gift and then those gifts would be dispersed among the children. However, this year was different.

The clubs adapted by assigning a child to every donor. Once a donor picked a child, the donor brought back a gift specific to that child. While different, it offers a chance for a more unique experience for the children.

“I believe it is better because it allows you to personalize the gift to the specific interests of the children receiving the gifts,” FBLA faculty advisor Adam Lengyel said.

The toy drive was met with huge demand. The slots for about 70 children were filled within almost a week of distribution. The gifts were then given to the Community Services Council of Woodbury’s Santa Shop and Caring for Bethlehem’s Holiday Gifts for Children for distribution to the children. 

The members of FBLA, FFA, and DECA expressed their thanks to their peers and the community for stepping up and making the toy drive a success.