Assemblyman William Colton (D—Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach and Dyker Heights) joined students and staff at St. Peter’s Catholic Academy on Wednesday, December 10, for an assembly and party that culminated in a presentation by the students of toys being donated by them to neighborhood children in need.

The program included a reading of the story of St. Nicholas, a fourth century bishop from Anatolia who was renowned, among other things, for his beneficence, as well as for his love of children, and who is widely believed to be the person upon whom the legend of Santa Claus is based.

“I was impressed by the tremendous generosity of the students at St. Peter’s Catholic Academy,” said Assemblyman Colton. “These children are learning at an early age that giving to those who are less fortunate than they are, benefits not only the recipient, but also the giver, who, through giving, shares in the joy of the occasion.”

According to the assemblyman, the toys donated by the St. Peter’s students will be split between the Toys for Tots program operated by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, and children at Marlboro Houses, the latter through the Marlboro Residents Association.

St. Peter’s Catholic Academy is located at 23^rd Avenue and 84^th Street.