Assemblyman Edward C. Braunstein (D-Bayside) recently wrapped up his toy drive for hospitalized and needy children and gift drive for hospitalized veterans.

Several thousand toys for children, as well as toiletries and clothing for veterans, were donated by churches, synagogues, civic organizations, schools, senior citizen clubs, and many local residents. "I was touched by the overwhelming generosity of my constituents in assisting those who are struggling due to the poor economy and helping to bring holiday cheer to those in need. I want to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to our community for making these gift drives such a success. Since we received so many donations, we were able to bring smiles to the faces of thousands of sick and needy children, as well as hundreds of hospitalized veterans this holiday season," said Braunstein.

"In addition, I want to thank the Law Offices of Ann-Margaret Carrozza and Dr. Robert Mittman's Allergy & Asthma Family Care Center for their assistance and support with this year's drives," said Braunstein.

Braunstein provided toys to numerous institutions and charitable programs, including: ANIBIC; Briarwood & Metro Homeless Shelters; Cohen Children’s Medical Center; Interdisciplinary Center for Child Development; Life’s WORC; New York Hospital of Queens FreeMat program; Queens Children’s Psychiatric Center; River Fund New York; Ronald McDonald House; Sacred Heart R.C. Church Toy Drive; South Queens Boys & Girls Club; St. John’s Bread and Life; St. Mary’s Hospital for Children; and Transition Domestic Violence Shelter.

All donations to the Veterans' Gift Drive were delivered by Braunstein and his staff, with assistance from students from Holy Cross High School, to the hospitalized men and women at the St. Albans Community Living Center of the VA New York Harbor Healthcare System and the New York State Veterans Home at St. Albans.

Among the schools and community organizations that contributed to this drive:

AARP Chapter 1405; Bay Terrace Cooperative Section I; First Presbyterian Church of Whitestone; Free Synagogue of Flushing; Greater Whitestone Taxpayers Community Center; Holy Cross High School; Jefferson Democratic Club; MS 158; MS 158 Girl Scout Troop 4404; MS 294: Bell Academy; Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Senior Citizen Leisure Club; PS 32; PS 115; PS 130; PS 159; PS 169; PS 184; PS 209; PS 214; The Summit School; Whitestone Angels; and the William Spyropoulos Greek-American Day School.