For St. Joseph’s University, New York student Landan Hoenig, the holidays are less about what can be received, but rather what can be given back. That was the original idea behind Teddies for Happiness, a local charity car show/toy drive started by Hoenig with the goal of bringing joy to underprivileged children during the holiday season.
Coming off its second holiday season, Teddies for Happiness was held Nov. 16 at the Levitt Ballfield in Centereach NY. More than 18 boxes of toys were collected during the event.
Brookhaven Town Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich (left) and SJNY student and Teddies for Happiness organizer Landan Hoenig (right)
“I always liked helping my community and volunteering, and by creating and running my own charitable foundation, I can do just that,” said Hoenig. “And I wouldn’t be able to do it without the community and all the Law Enforcement Agencies.”
Hoenig started Teddies for Happiness after interning and beginning seasonal work with the Southampton Town Police. Initially wanting to bring happiness to underprivileged children during the holidays, he saw the potential in involving others in the community.
This year, 23 law enforcement agencies from the federal through local levels attended and offered their vehicles for display, according to Hoenig. They weren’t the only organizations present to lend a hand. Radio stations 106.1 WBLI and 102.3 WBAB played music and hosted games while food was provided by the national restaurant chain Chick-Fil-A. Hoenig hopes these partnerships continue in the future.
A transfer student from Suffolk Community College, Hoenig, a history education major, is currently in his third year at SJNY.
“My time at SJNY has been very influential,” Hoenig commented. “I made many new friends, met teachers that want to see you be successful, became the PR officer for the 2024-2025 school year for the Law and Justice Society club and was the secretary of the History Club for the fall 2024 semester.”
Hoenig delivered toys to Stony Brook Children’s Hospital and St. Cuthbert Episcopal Church in time for the holiday. Toys donated to the church were split between its food pantry and a local women’s shelter.
Now, Hoenig is looking forward to 2025. His goal is to make Teddies for Happiness even bigger, so more toys can be delivered to underprivileged children.
2024’s Teddies for Happiness event was supported by 23 federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.
