Carmen Grant

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Sep 27, 2024, 8:48 PM

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Updated

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The holiday season arrived early for some students in Nassau County.

Dozens of youngsters from the Academy Charter School in Hempstead received holiday presents and gifts from Santa Claus.

The event was held to kick off the start of this season's Toy For Tots collection drive on Long Island.

Organizers say every season, they try to put a smile on the face of a needy child.

"The need is ever increasing on Long Island within the past three to four years. It's been miserable with inflation and people losing jobs so, we fill in that gap. We put a smile on kids' faces," explained retired U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Chuck Kilbride, of Toys of Tots.

Last year, the organization distributed close to 800,000 toys to children across the region during the holidays.