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Holiday 'Stuff-A-School' Project Thrives At Suffolk's Eastport-South Manor High

MANORVILLE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) – Students in Suffolk County have been given a special holiday assignment -- and they're doing it all with a song in their hearts.

After six weeks of collecting box after box of gifts and carrying them to waiting vehicles, "Santa sleighs" were surprising the needy in nearby communities on Monday, CBS2's Jennifer McLogan reported.

"Every day after school, it's a lot of time and effort but it is definitely worth it," Eastport-South Manor Junior/Senior High School student Alexis Gadzinski said of the dedication it takes to do the "Stuff-A-School" initiative successfully.

Eastport-South Manor was stuffed to the gills with donations, including brand new toys, gently used jeans, food and cosmetics.

Needless to say, the kids knew how to deck the halls.

"This kind of makes everything stop for a minute and you really think about and appreciate everything that you have," student Katarina Soulopulos said.

The rotunda of the school was filled and the choir and orchestra celebrated for hours on Monday as proud parents stopped by. Everyone was loading presents and packages, which were earmarked in the wishing tree for seven local families with underprivileged children, McLogan reported.

"People find out that their friends need some help and they absolutely love helping them. That spirit grows inside of them, and they just spread the joy," club advisor Gregory Barbera said.

With so many giving, the students will be able to send some packages to our troops overseas, to local charities, libraries, and animal shelters.

"They learn so much about just what the needs are out in our community -- and it's wonderful because they really do get benefit from it," Eastport-South Manor Assistant Principal Jeannette Keicher said.

As of Monday, thousands of gifts were on their way to local needy families, delivered by teachers and students hoping to make a real difference.

This is the eighth annual "Stuff-A-School" in the Manorville community.

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