The happiness of others is on the minds of students and staff at Waverly Avenue Elementary School as part of their ongoing Valentine Box project that shares the love of reading with children across Long Island. 

For more than 10 years, the initiative organized by Beth Ryan and Deb Mergott has rallied the support of Sachem students, staff and community members to make creative Valentine’s Day boxes filled with snacks, drinks, small toys and, most importantly, new books to be distributed to children in need. 

“It truly is a community effort,” Mergott said. “We know that these boxes make Valentine’s Day a little brighter for so many children.”  

With the help of Waverly Avenue fifth-grade students, the assortment of boxes is organized and delivered by Sachem Facilities personnel to various organizations that benefit the less fortunate.