Par Hills ERASE Club Holiday Toy Drive Ends Dec. 20

Students at are taking the meaning of the season to heart. Members of the school's E.R.A.S.E. Club (the acronym stands for Ending Racism and Sexism Everywhere) are collecting toys to distribute to needy children for the holidays through Dec. 20.

Club President Anush Shah says the club has a tradition of community service.

"We raise money during the year and donate it to various local causes, such as Vero Amici for Charity in [West Caldwell] and the Battered Women's Shelter in Morris County," he said, adding that the group also spends the school year working against bigotry and discrimination and promoting tolerance and equality for all. "Currently we are running the toy drive, which will go to help the sick children at the St. Clare's Hospital Children's Crisis Intervention Service."

Shah, a Hills senior and a third-year E.R.A.S.E. Club member, said there are about 70 students in the club, but they believe asking the greater community to help will create a better holiday for the children.

"The children at the hospital deserve more, since our gifts may be the only ones they receive at all, so [enlisting Parsippany residents' support will allow] us to collect more toys," he said.

The toy collection is underway at Par Hills and will end Dec. 20, so that gifts may be delivered before Christmas.

"So far it is doing very well. Students, not necessarily all in E.R.A.S.E, can bring their gifts into our advisor's classroom, where we have a box to collect the toys," Shah said.

Town residents who wish to donate new, unwrapped toys are asked to do so. Shah said the items may be dropped off in a designated box located in the main office of Parsippany Hills High School.