Toy drive grants wishes for dozens of local students

A group of students sit and stand together in a classroom for a photo. Some of them are holding wrapped gifts
Fayetteville-Manlius High School Spanish Club members recently hosted the 21st Annual Wish Tree Toy Drive.

A group of Fayetteville-Manlius High School students made it their mission again this year to help local families in-need by making children’s wishes come true.

During the month of December, F-M High School Spanish Club hosted its annual Wish Tree Toy Drive. The event, which has been hosted by the club for more than two decades, collects new and unwrapped toys, puzzles, games and more for underprivileged children who live in the Syracuse area.

This year, gifts were collected for students who attend Syracuse City School District’s Seymour Dual Language Academy. Wish lists were made by the school’s prekindergarten through fifth grade students, and Spanish Club members promoted the initiative throughout F-M High School to help garner support.

This year’s drive supported about 70 Seymour students. Prior to winter recess, Spanish Club members hosted a gift-wrapping party so that students and staff members could celebrate the holiday season together while preparing the donated gifts for delivery.

Spanish Club is advised by Sra. Campitello and this school year’s senior officers are Allison Wong and Scott Hills, co-presidents, Alana Isley, vice president, and Ebun Abolade, treasurer. The club’s mission is to spread interest in the Spanish language and culture, and give back to the community.

Seven high school students are in a classroom standing together for a photo
Spanish Club members spent a recent December afternoon wrapping more than 70 gifts for the Club’s annual Wish Tree Toy Drive.
Two high school students stand inside a classroom. One of them is holding a bag of gifts.
Members of Fayetteville-Manlius High School’s Spanish Club get ready to deliver dozens of gifts to Seymour Dual Language Academy.
Dozens of young children are in a hallway standing next to one another and smiling for the photo
Upon receiving holiday gifts, Seymour Dual Language Academy prekindergarten students and staff members gather together for a photo.