🌱 Smithtown ​Menorah Lighting Ceremony​ + Stony Brook Toy Drive

Hello, everybody! It's Friday in Smithtown, and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on all the most important things happening in our community, including updates on:

• Donations are accepted to Stony Brook Hospital Toy Drive.
• Town of Smithtown hosted its Annual Tender Years Treasury!
• Menorah Lighting Ceremony to be hosted at Town Hall and more!

But first, today's weather:

Plenty of sunshine. High: 48, low: 29.

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Here are the top five stories in Smithtown today:

1. If you want to donate an unwrapped toy to kids treated at Stony Brook Hospital, you can drop it off at the Mario Mattera office at 180 E. Main St., Suite 210, in Smithtown. Donations will be accepted through Dec. 21. Kids' age range from 2- 16 years old. Donors are kindly asked to avoid toys that have guns or knives as accessories. (Patch)
   
2. NYPD Officer, Michael Valva, has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for the murder of his son Thomas Valva. Valva's lawyer, John LoTurco, said he would appeal the sentence because they claim the death was unintentional. Read the full coverage of this case here. (Patch)
3. Kids had a great time at the Town of Smithtown Annual Tender Years Treasury! The event was held on Dec. 3 at the Eugene Cannataro Senior Citizens Center. The seniors crafted the gifts at prices of $5 or less. Click on the link to check a picture of the event. (Town of Smithtown)
   
4. Smithtown Annual Menorah Lighting Ceremony will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 20. The event will be hosted at the Town Hall from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. (Town Smithtown)
5. Town of Brookhaven Councilman Kevin LaValle and Community advocate Lisa Di Santo are running for the seat left by Brookhaven Town Clerk Donna Lent. Candidates will be chosen on a townwide election scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 17. Read the full story here. (TBR News Media)

Today in Smithtown:

• Create-N-Play (Smithtown Library-Smithtown Building). (9 a.m.)
• Rock and Rhyme (Smithtown Library-Nesconset Building). (10 a.m.)
• Imagination Station (Smithtown Library-Commack Building). (11:30 a.m.)

From my notebook:

• St. James Holiday Market Wonderland kicks off Saturday, Dec. 10, from 3 to 9 p.m. The event will be held at the Lutheran Church parking lot at 230 2nd Ave. in St. James and features a heated tent, vendors, live music, characters, face painting, poetry, hot chocolate, cider, coffee, an empanada station, and more! Admissions are free. (Patch)
• Attention job searchers out there, look at Smithtown weekly job listings and check who is hiring in and around the neighborhood. (Patch)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Fitness 4 You — (Visit website)
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Events:

• John's Crazy Socks 6th Anniversary Open House/Pop-Up Store Celebration. (December 10)
• You Can’t Go WRONG this Holiday Season with Broadway’s Funniest Smash Hit! (December 11)
• New Year, New You: Self Care & Divorce – Vesta's Long Island, NY Hub. (December 12)
• Holiday Lights At The Bronx Zoo. (December 23)
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Announcements:

• John’s Crazy Socks Celebrates the Holidays with 12 Days of Giving Back. (Details)
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Job listings:

• Administrative Assistant - P/T Weekends. (Details)
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Other classifieds:

• Freedomland For The Holidays And To Ring In New Year. (Details)
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Thanks for following along and staying informed! I look forward to seeing you tomorrow for your next update.

— Debora Whitehead

About me: Have a story idea? Please get in touch with me! I would love to hear from you! Wife, mom, foodie, traveler, and nature lover.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Smithtown Patch newsletter? Contact me at Smithtown@Patch.com.