A local non-profit organization that brings donated toys to children in local hospitals during the winter holidays is seeking the public's help to make the effort successful once again.

Jonathan's Gifts of Love, Inc., established by the Sturm Family of North Wantagh in 1995 after Leukemia took the life of their five-year-old son, Jonathan, distributes toys at 11 Long Island Hospitals, Manhattan's Memorial Sloan Kettering and the Children's Leukemia Society Holiday Party.

Explaining the goal of the organization's fourth annual toy drive, Patty Sturm, Jonathan's mother, recently said the family hopes it is as successful in cheering the hospitalized children as it was in years past. "We'd like to make sure that we have enough things coming in that we'd be able to distribute toys to them again this year," she said, expressing gratitude to those who have donated in the past.

Sturm noted that the idea for distributing the toys to sick children came from the family's experience with Jonathan at Sloan Kettering. While he was very ill, she noted, he received much joy from a regular bingo game which awarded toys as prizes to the children there. "That stayed with us after we had left and after he had passed away. And we wanted to be able to bring toys to children who were in the hospital. It just made him incredibly happy. It took him away from everything that was going on around him - when he got a new toy," she said, adding, "So we would just like to make sure that we can do this for other families who, unfortunately, have to spend the holidays in the hospital with their child."

The Jonathan's Gifts of Love Toy Drive, Inc. is community-based, with local schools and businesses assisting the Sturm Family with collection. The organization also raises funds to purchase large pediatric ward gifts, such as computers and stereo equipment. In recognition of its outstanding community service, the group last year received the Town of Hempstead's first "Make a Difference Award."

Those wishing to donate toys to the organization throughout the month of December may call 781-5425 for information about drop-off or to arrange pick-up. Those wishing to contribute funds may send a check payable to Jonathan's Gifts of Love, Inc. c/o Patty Sturm, 54 Twin Lane, North Wantagh, NY 11793.