Collection boxes will be available beginning November 11, 2025. The easiest way to get started is to fill out the registration form on nsfda.org. You will have the option to pick up your collection box from Long Island Cremation or Brueggemann Funeral Home. We can also help arrange to deliver the box to your funeral home.

Nassau Suffolk Funeral Directors Association has partnered with the John Theissen Children’s Foundation. JCTF is a a 501(c)3 non-profit organization on Long Island that supports sick and underprivileged children by providing gifts, medical assistance, and educational supplies. Founded by John Theissen after his own battle with a brain tumor, the foundation offers programs like a Back to School drive, medical expense assistance, and a Family Fun Center. It provides both tangible items like toys and school supplies and helps with expenses such as medical bills, transportation, and wishes. The JCTF annual toy drive exclusively supports Long Island families during the holiday season. Read more at JCTF.org

It is important that you promote your participation within your community. The Hearse Haul Playbook is a NSFDA exclusive tool with ideas and sample posts you can share on your social media pages to promote community involvement and showcase your funeral home’s participation and support for the John Theissen Children’s Foundation.

The hearse is a familiar and recognizable symbol of the funeral industry. Outside it shows our industry’s position as a formal, honorable one and inside compassionate funeral directors conduct their business. Large enough to hold a substantial number of toys we’re using our combined fleets to collect and move as many toys as possible. Other funeral associations have experienced great success with not just toy drives, but food drives as well. We’re reinventing our position in the community by showing that funeral directors are here for life, too.

We’re coordinating with John Theissen Children’s Foundation to ensure that the toys arrive with enough time for them to distribute to families in need before the holiday. Many groups and organizations will be delivering toys to the JCTF’s Wantagh warehouse throughout December. We anticipate that our Haul will be held on Friday December 12th or Saturday the 13th. Participating funeral homes will be notified with at least two weeks notice.

In December, participating firms will join together in a procession of hearses loaded with toys to deliver to the John Theissen Children’s Foundation’s Wantagh warehouse. NSFDA will provide photographers and is engaging local media to cover the Haul so that your firm can be featured and get recognized for your efforts collecting and supporting the JCTF and Long Island families.

We know, that’s the point! Nassau Suffolk Funeral Directors Assocation wants you to build a team at your funeral home, decorate your collection box and share it with us on instagram and Facebook. Promote it on your own social media channels and show off your efforts and holiday spirit. Let this be a moment for your firm to get creative and show off your talents!

That’s OK! This is not an all-or-none event. If you are able to collect toys but cannot participate in the Haul, let us know by emailing Holly O’Brien or Mike Hoddinott and we’ll schedule to pick up your collection box and bring it with us on the Haul. You’ll still be featured and included in our hype!

Of course! The goal is to collect toys. Consider asking your livery service to contribute their hearse for your firm to drive or join forces with another funeral firm to maximize your efforts. The Haul will position hearses to the front and vans to the rear for the most visual impact.

Nameplates, always nameplates! One of the benefits of our combined efforts is showcasing the combined efforts of the amazing firms and funeral directors who make NSFDA strong. Your nameplates are your signature on this event and tell all of Long Island that you support John Theissen Children’s Foundation and Long Island Families this holiday season.