Nineteen schools, several senior and civic organizations, and hundreds of local residents contributed to Assemblyman Ed Braunstein’s 9th annual Holiday Gift Drive for veterans and hospitalized children.
Generous community members donated thousands of new toys and hundreds of items for vets, such as new clothing, candy, toiletries and puzzles.
“It is very heartwarming to witness the amazing generosity of northeast Queens residents who have continued to bring holiday cheer to those in need year after year,” Braunstein said.
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to our community and our local schools for making these gift drivers such a success.”
The following institutions and/or charitable programs received toys:
- 4 Kids in Need drive for homeless families
- QSAC Day School of Whitestone
- QSAC Preschool & Early Childhood Center of Douglaston
- Queens Chronicle’s 25th annual toy drive
- Ronald McDonald House
- Sacred Heart Church Toy Drive
- St. Mary’s Hospital for Children
- Transition Domestic Violence Center
- United States Army for children of deployed military personnel from Fort Totten and other reserve bases
These schools and community organizations contributed to the drive:
- Bayside Village Business Improvement District
- Beech Hills Shareholders
- Benjamin N. Cardozo High School
- Bridge View Nursing Home
- Deepdale CARES NORC
- Friends of Fort Totten Parks
- Greater Whitestone Taxpayers Civic Association
- Holy Trinity Catholic Academy
- IS 25
- Jefferson Democratic Club
- MS 158
- MS 294
- PS 32
- PS 41
- PS 98
- PS 107
- PS 115
- PS 159
- PS 169
- PS 184
- PS 203
- PS 209
- PS 221
- PS 811
- Queens Public Library at Bayside
- Queensboro Hill Community Church
- The Summit School Upper School
- Vincent’s Opticians
- The William Spyropoulos Greek-American Day School.