Our children are very blessed, not just spiritually, but materially during the holiday season. Moms, dads, aunts, uncles, Santa Claus and Hanukah Harry help fuel the economy with an overabundance of giving. And while children are thankful for the thought that goes into every gift, some end up being duplicates, inappropriate or just too bulky to fit into already overloaded closets!

Since 1992, Wantagh resident, John Theissen has collected over 150,000 new toys for sick and needy children. John, hospitalized with a brain tumor at 17, created this non-profit organization: Toys for Sick Children; to help kids forget their plan, if only briefly. John distributes gifts year round and could use our help.

So, instead of waiting on long return lines this year, how about helping local kids and feeling really good about yourself? Seven-year-old Keith Svenson had this opportunity after his November birthday and felt truly rewarded by sharing his "wealth" of duplicate toys with the less fortunate.

Two collections are planned for January. Please bring donations of new, unwrapped toys to the Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church, 1845 Wantagh Avenue, Wantagh. Call 785-1829 for office hours during the week. John Theissen will personally receive our donations on Jan. 7 at our 10:30 a.m. service.

If you miss the first drop off, or better yet, find even more donations, John will also come to speak at the next Island Trees Cub Scout Pack Night, Jan. 26, at 7 p.m. in the JF Sparke Elementary School.

We hope you'll join us in creatively helping others and spread the word among family, friends and classmates. Reaching out to those in need is difficult, our schedules are filled with so many commitments. This very thoughtful, selfless act reminds us just how fortunate we are to be able to share joy with kids going through a rough time. Now go do the right thing! Thanks!

P.S. John Theissen's phone number is 739-3758.