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DECEMBER 26, 2024 - JANUARY 1, 2025
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VOl. 27 NO. 53
HERALD PERSON OF THE YEAR Joe Gallart
Joe Gallart brightens children’s lives, one toy at a time By Jordan Vallone
For nearly a decade, Joe Gallart’s mission during the holiday season has been clear: To ensure that no child goes without a gift to unwrap. What began in 2016 as a simple toy collection has grown into a massive, annual tradition that touches the lives of countless children in need, fueled by Gallart’s compassion, and a community of friends, families, and businesses that believe in his vision. Because of his unwavering dedication to bringing joy to the children of Nassau County and beyond hen Joe during the holidays, Gallart is the Merrick Herald’s 2024 Person of the Year. loves His passion for collecting toys began you, you have humbly in 2016, when he attended a car meet in Glen Cove with some all of him. He is friends, he said. The event was supportgenerous with ing a holiday toy drive for children in need. his time, and he “I rounded up a few toys, 21 in total, is generous with from you know, just some close friends his heart. and family,” he said. “And when I got down there, I really saw (the amount of DiANE ARCiERO donations from people attending) and Joe Gallart’s longtime it was unbelievable.” friend The following year — Gallart, remembering how much he enjoyed collecting and orchestrating his toy donations — decided to do it again. In 2017, he ended up with around 150 toys, he said, and from there, his efforts have grown annually. Originally from Queens, Gallart, 59, is a retired New York City sanitation worker, who has called Merrick home since 2008. His residence has transformed into a hub of generosity — a place where friends, family, and community members can drop off toys or send packages to support his cause throughout the year. Local businesses in neighboring towns like Bellmore and East Meadow, and beyond, have joined the effort by setting up public facing donation bins for toys in their lobbies. Most of Gallart’s donations are given to Toys for Tots, a program founded by the United States Marine Corps Reserve in 1947, which collects new, unwrapped toys, and distributes them to those less fortunate during the holiday season. Additional donations are distributed to smaller organizations throughout Nassau County. Every year, on the first Sunday in December, Gallart participates in Long Island’s main Toys for Tots drop-off event. For years, donations were delivered to the organization at the
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Nassau Coliseum. In 2024, the location shifted to the Nassau County Police Department’s David S. Mack Center for Training and Intelligence, continuing the tradition of giving in a new setting. During this year’s drop-off on Dec. 1, Gina Bennicasa, Gallart’s wife, said over 50 of their friends and family members helped transport the toys. “He puts so much heart and soul into this — I was so blown away and impressed with the coordination that he had with this huge group,” she said. “He works tirelessly. He’s so passionate about it.” Diane Arciero, Gallart and Bennicasa’s longtime friend, said that Gallart’s drive is reflective of the type of person he is, and it's easy to understand why he’s supported by so many people. “When you grow up, your parents tell you to judge the person by the company they keep — I have never met anybody with as many friends as Joe,” Arciero said. “When Joe loves you, you have all of him. He is generous with his time, and he is
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Courtesy Gina Bennicasa/Herald
Joe Gallart has orchestrated a massive toy drive for nearly a decade, donating thousands of toys to children in need during the holidays. In 2023, he founded Desirae’s Darlings, a nonprofit that embodies his mission, in honor of his latedaughter, Desirae Gallart. Joe Gallart, above, with his wife Gina Bennicasa.