Holiday help: Families in need receive Christmas toys from ‘Angels of Long Island’
Volunteer chaperones helped each shopper navigate the tables of gifts — including over 100 bicycles — ensuring fairness and joy.
More Stories
The Angels of Long Island hosted their beloved Christmas Miracle event in the Hagerman Fire Department garage in Bellport – transforming the space into a holiday toy wonderland. The nonprofit, which runs a thrift store and food bank in East Patchogue, welcomed over 300 families to select five brand-new unwrapped toys per child plus stocking stuffers.
Volunteer chaperones helped each shopper navigate the tables of gifts — including over 100 bicycles — ensuring fairness and joy.
Founder Debbie Loesch called it her favorite event, emphasizing how it creates a “Christmas miracle” despite challenges like rising needs from economic pressures, house fires and domestic violence.
Outreach coordinator Patricia Peterson, who grew up in a large family and understands hardship firsthand, shared her emotional motivation: “I do it because I love helping people…It makes me so happy.”
Her interactions with families, including offering Spanish translation, brought tears of joy to many.
Partners like Toys for Tots Suffolk County, led by Master Gunnery Sergeant John Escalante, delivered thousands of toys to fill gaps in community support. Local business owners Ken and Amanda Calderone of Global Restorations praised Loesch’s impact, saying they answer her calls because “everything she does is touching.” One anonymous mother shopping for her daughters expressed gratitude: “It helps me a lot… to make their Christmas come true.”
With donations stretched thin, Loesch and her team continue supporting families through food distributions and more.
