feature story / 33 But no less important, she adds, is the center’s pedagogy; teaching vol- unteerism is part of the experience. “There’s such a deep lesson here,” Wei- land explains. “What is the definition of a community? How do you give in a way that’s respectful and loving and how to do you make sure nobody is left behind and everybody feels like they belong?” Adds Gibbons, “There are people that were involved in the drive as chil- dren and there are people that were recipients who now want to partici- pate. My own children, who are now in their 30s, participated when they were youngsters – and they still come back and ask about what’s happening. They’ve set up their own drives and collect things at their places of work.” “It’s a magical, magical time. When I go out to deliver the gifts, I’ve got- ten picked up, hugged and twirled around,” Weiland says. “We don’t want any families to feel on the out- side watching everybody else having these idyllic beautiful times. We want to make sure that every family feels like they’re participating in the family rituals of childhood.” Donny Levit is a writer, journalist and Maplewood resident. He is the author of Rock n’ Roll Lies, 10 Stories. Follow him on @donnyreports. 41. 42. 43. Men’s hounds tooth socks, $26, No. 165, 165 Maplewood Avenue, Maplewood, 973-275-1658, no165. com New York Giants bow- tie, $15, Noel Gregory, TieBro Handmade Bow Ties, at Bizarre Bazaar, studiobmaplewood. org Black robot sweater, $88, Sadie’s, 65 Valley Street, South Orange, 973-821-5441, shopsa- dies.com 44. 45. 46. Men’s Titanium eye- glass frames, Dawn Opticians, 63 Second Avenue, South Or- ange, 973-762-9100, dawnopticians.com Revitalizing sandal- wood soap, $10, Kokoro, 172 Maple- wood Avenue, Maple- wood, 973-378-7988 Pink alligator print socks, $18, Sadie’s, 65 Valley Street, South Orange, 973-821-5441, shopsadies.com 41 42 43 44 45 46 Maggie Tuohy (L) and Lorraine Gibbons (R), co-chairs of the toy drive. Students are busy making donation boxes for the toy drive.