By: John Jay Sports Information
New York, N.Y - Many children on Staten Island will recieve an early holiday present this year on behalf of the John Jay Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and their fellow teammates.
This year, the student-athletes participated in the 19th Annual Richard Gardner Jr. Memorial Toy Drive. The Richard Gardner Jr. Memorial toy drive is held in memory of a fallen police officer who passed away in 1995 in an off-duty accident. Officer Gardner was only 24. Each year, the family of Officer Gardner collects and donates over 1,500 toys to sick and underprivileged children throughout the five boroughs during the holiday season. He was the uncle of head softball coach,
Danielle Bonici.
Today, nearly 60 student-athletes teamed up to donate to the toy drive. They gathered to take part in the 2nd Annual SAAC Toy Drive gift wrapping party, where they offered their time and talents to gift wrap an abundance of toys. These toys will then be given out on Saturday, December 21st by SAAC, their teammates and the Bonici family. The toys will be distributed to underpriviledged children at Stapleton Church, located on Staten Island.
"The toy drive is very special to my family and me," said Bonici. "It is truly wonderful to have the student-athletes be a part of this event. Thank you to all of the student-athletes and staff who helped make this all possible."
Bonici, along with SAAC President and cross-country runner Joleen Richards organized the event, which was a huge success.
"I was please with today's turn-out from the student-athletes," said Richards. "Everyone who participated had fun while giving back to those who are less priviledged this holiday season."
To view the photo gallery from the event, please click
HERE.
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