Toy Collector Spotlight: Pascack Valley High School, Hillsdale, NJ

Celebrating 9 Years of Sustainable Giving: Pascack Valley High School’s Annual Toy Drive

For nearly a decade, the Pascack Valley High School Environmental Club (Hillsdale, NJ) has brightened the holiday season for children in need across Northern New Jersey while championing  sustainability through its annual gently-used toy drive. This year marks the ninth year of PVHS partnering with Second Chance Toys for this meaningful initiative, led with unwavering dedication by club advisor and biology teacher Michela Piccoline.

Under Ms. Piccoline’s guidance, the toy drive has grown into a cherished tradition for the school community. Each year, students and staff come together to collect gently used toys, giving them a second life while reducing plastic waste.

Over the years, the toys collected have found homes through partnerships with local organizations serving kids in need. These community partners include Joi’s Angels of East Orange, the Newark Board of Education, and the NJ Community Development Corporation of Paterson. These groups work tirelessly to support underserved communities, and Pascack Valley High School is proud to contribute to their missions with kindness and care.

To date, Pascack Valley HS has saved over 1,600 gently-used toys, diverting them from landfills and putting them into the hands of deserving children.

As Second Chance Toys and Pascack Valley High School celebrate nine years of this inspiring project, we are so thankful for the power of community, compassion, and sustainability. Here’s to many more years of making the holidays brighter for children while protecting the planet!