by Kristina Zagame

Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) is organizing a holiday gift drive in collaboration with the Village Bank. Gift donations will be collected in 319 or at any Village Bank location until Friday, Dec. 16, according to senior Tim Kenslea, the club’s co-president along with senior Jordan Long.

The club is asking for new, unwrapped toys or gift cards for children up to age 10, Kenslea added.

FBLA wanted to join the Village Bank and participate in this drive to “practice marketing strategies acquired from the club,” Kenslea said.

Club members participated by creating advertisements to post online, recruiting volunteers to help run the event and informing the public about the drive, said Long.

The club’s recent food drive raised over $4,000 in canned goods, according to Long. “The food drive was a big success. We wanted to use our skills to make the toy drive just as good.”

“It’s nice to give back to the community, while being able to practice real business techniques” Long added.

Village Bank community relation’s officer and local business leader Susan Paley helps advise the FBLA with business teacher Robert Kane.

It was Paley’s idea to have FBLA members join the Village Bank in the toy drive, according to Kenslea.

The Village Bank will be responsible for distributing the toys to over 250 Newton families beginning Monday, Dec. 20, Kenslea added.