What began 21 years ago as a small effort undertaken by a few dedicated young CPAs is today one of the largest Christmas toy collections on Long Island. In 1994, the NYSSCPA Suffolk Chapter spent a few days before Christmas gift-wrapping the 10 boxes full of toys and games they had collected for the Toys for Tots program; this year, the chapter collected 140 boxes worth of toys, requiring days of wrapping and an 18-wheeler truck to cart them away. 

“The strength and growth of this drive is a testament to the hardworking folk who participate in our NextGen Committee and the many other volunteers who give of their time and resources, especially during the holidays when those become a commodity, ” said Suffolk Chapter President Felix Russo. “Each year the bar gets reset at a higher level, and each year, the Suffolk Chapter manages to surpass it.”

The drive began on Nov. 4 at the offices of Sheehan and Co., where volunteers wrapped cardboard collection boxes, which were then dropped off at dozens of businesses across Long Island that served as collection points for toys and games. Collections continued until Dec. 7, at which point volunteers convened again to wrap the presents before members of the U.S. Marine Corps picked them up on Dec. 11.

The chapter’s participation in the Toys for Tots drive started as a service project undertaken by what was then called the Young CPAs Committee, and headed up by the committee’s chair, Cynthia Barry. Wanting to get members more involved with the community, she decided upon the toy drive at the suggestion of one of the partners in her office. Two decades and thousands of collected toys later, Barry is a former chapter president who continues to coordinate the toy drive every year. 

“[Her] commitment to the Toys for Tots program is beyond words,” Russo said. “Having started … 21 years ago, and to still put forth the efforts needed today is a true example of a leader.” 

For Barry, Toys for Tots has become a gift not only for the Long Island kids who benefit from the program, but also for the chapter itself. 

“I truly love the cause, as it serves to bring the magic of the holiday season to children that may otherwise not receive anything during the holidays,” she said. “[And] I enjoy the camaraderie in working on the drive with my colleagues and friends that I have met over the years. It is an event that brings so many of us together each year with such a wonderful purpose.”  

Even though the Young CPAs now call themselves NextGen, they remain integral to this annual effort, said Amanda Sexton, NextGen committee member and Suffolk Chapter vice president. 

“It’s a truly amazing event,” she said, “and is one of the events that make our chapter feel like a family.” 

cgaetano@nysscpa.org