Way to go: Antoinette Iodice, Shirley
William Floyd Elementary fifth-grader Antoinette Iodice coordinated "Toys for Floyd," a toy-collection drive that garnered more than 200 gifts from the community. Credit: Handout
Antoinette Iodice helped to spread plenty of holiday cheer to her classmates last month.
The fifth-grader at William Floyd Elementary School in Shirley coordinated a toy collection campaign, titled "Toys for Floyd," that resulted in the donation of more than 200 toys from the school community.
The toys, from board games to books to dolls, were wrapped by volunteers and distributed to families in need who live in the William Floyd school district.
"I always have a good holiday, and I want others to have a happy holiday like me," said Antoinette, 10. "I was very surprised that we got so much."
Antoinette said she hatched the idea for the toy drive from a TV show in which a family couldn't afford any gifts for Christmas. She asked her parents and principal Keith Fasciana if she could help out local families. To spread the word, she drafted a letter that was mailed home to families encouraging them to donate a toy.
She also promoted the toy drive by hanging fliers in the school's halls and making morning announcements over the school's loudspeaker.
"She was very motivated and genuinely wanted to help," Fasciana said. "It was a great idea."
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