P.S. 81 annual Toy Drive helps to spread holiday cheer

The excitement of the holiday season brings out Hackley students’ ongoing desire to give back. The seniors especially cherish the relationships they have built with elementary school students at P.S. 81 in Brooklyn since their freshman year. Each year, the seniors enjoy their student-specific toy drive. This allows them to send gifts to the individual child whose name is written on a card, instead of arbitrarily distributing gifts to unknown people. “The best part of it all is the look on the kids’ faces when we deliver the toys,” said senior dean David Sykes. The P.S. 81 Toy Drive is unique for its personal element and real-life connections, which generate an incredibly powerful dynamic.