HILLSDALE—This holiday season, the Pascack Valley High School (PVHS) Environmental Club gave used toys a vital new purpose through its annual partnership with Second Chance Toys, a nonprofit organization dedicated to rescuing and recycling plastic toys for children in need.
Now in its 10th year, the initiative collected more than 400 toys, which were donated to Joi’s Angels, a homeless shelter in East Orange.
Each year, reports PVHS, Second Chance Toys pairs Pascack Valley High School with a local homeless shelter, women’s shelter, or house of worship in an area of need.
“This toy drive is an endeavor we look forward to each year as it brings a measure of joy to local children in need while promoting the recycling and reuse of items that would otherwise have ended up in landfills,” said Michela Piccoline, science teacher and advisor to the Environmental Club, in a recent update shared with Pascack Press. PVHS serves families in Hillsdale and River Vale.
Second Chance Toys (secondchancetoys.org) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation founded in 2006 to rescue and recycle plastic toys for children in need by donating them to community organizations.
Club members worked tirelessly to ensure the success of the drive, collecting, sorting, and cleaning the toys to prepare them for donation. The endeavor culminated in a sense of accomplishment and pride as students helped load boxes of toys destined for Joi’s Angels, where they would brighten the holidays for countless children.
The impact of their work extends beyond the local community. Each rescued toy represents a small victory in the fight against waste. Plastic toys are notoriously difficult to recycle and often end up in landfills, contributing to environmental degradation.
By facilitating their reuse, Second Chance Toys and the PVHS Environmental Club help reduce this environmental burden while making a tangible difference in children’s lives.
Principal John Puccio added, “It’s rewarding to see our students so passionate about helping others and caring for the environment. This drive has become a cherished tradition at Pascack Valley High School, and it speaks volumes about the character of our students.”
For students like Isabella Manessis, Environmental Club President, the initiative is about more than just giving back: “It’s about finding ways to make a positive impact in multiple areas of life. Helping the environment while bringing joy to children is a powerful combination.”
With another toy drive complete, the club is already looking ahead to next year’s efforts. The students say they hope to surpass this year’s collection total and continue their tradition of environmental and social responsibility.