Edward C. Braunstein - Assembly District 26 |Assembly Member Directory

Braunstein Thanks Community for Record-Breaking Donations to Holiday Gift Drives

December 22, 2014

Assemblyman Edward C. Braunstein is pictured with Deirdre Samuel, Coordinator of Volunteer Services at the NYS Veterans Home at St. Albans; Private Larry McKelton, a veteran of the United States Navy and the Secretary of the Residents Council at the Veterans' Home; as well as Benjamin N. Cardozo High School students and staff, who helped deliver the donations.

Assemblyman Edward C. Braunstein (D-Bayside) wrapped up his record-breaking holiday gift drives for hospitalized veterans and needy and hospitalized children. Thousands of toys for children, as well as hundreds of toiletries, candy and clothing items for veterans, were donated by civic organizations, 20 schools and dozens of local residents.

"I was overwhelmed by the incredible generosity of my constituents who helped bring holiday cheer to those in need. I want to express my sincere appreciation and gratitude to our community for once again 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 needy children, as well as hundreds of hospitalized veterans this holiday season," said Braunstein.

"In addition, I want to thank Community Board 11 and Dr. William Duke for their assistance and support with this year's drives," said Braunstein.

Assemblyman Braunstein provided toys to numerous institutions and charitable programs, including: ANIBIC; Bayside Kiwanis; Cohen Children's Medical Center; NYC Children's Center - Queens Campus; Operation FreeMAT; QSAC Day School of Whitestone; QSAC Preschool & Early Childhood Center of Douglaston; Queens Centers for Progress; Queens Chronicle Toy Drive for Boulevard Family Shelter, Dove House, Kings Inn, Metro Family Residence and Saratoga Family Inn; Queens Courier Drive for the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Queens; Ronald McDonald House; Sacred Heart R.C. Church Toy Drive; School District 25 Toy Drive for students in temporary housing; St. Mary's Hospital for Children; Transition Domestic Violence Shelter; and YAI Bayside Premier HealthCare.

Assemblyman Edward C. Braunstein with PS 209 Principal Mary McDonnell, Assistant Principal Jacqueline Diaz Fernandez, and students with their donations to the Toy Drive.

All donations to the Veterans' Gift Drive were delivered by Braunstein and his staff, along with students from Benjamin N. Cardozo High School, to the St. Albans VA Community Living Center and the New York State Veterans Home at St. Albans.

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

AARP Chapter 1405, Archbishop Molloy High School, Bayside Community Library, Bayside Kiwanis, Beech Hills Garden Apartments, Benjamin N. Cardozo High School, Erawan Thai Cuisine, Friends of Fort Totten Parks, Greater Whitestone Taxpayers Civic Association, Greater Whitestone Taxpayers Community Center, IS 25, Jefferson Democratic Club of Northeast Queens, MS 67, MS 158, MS 294, PS 31, PS 32, PS 79, PS 98, PS 107, PS 159, PS 169, PS 184, PS 186, PS 193, PS 209, PS 811, Senior Club at St. Kevin's Parish, St. Mel's Italian American Association, The Lowell School, and the William Spyropoulos Greek-American Day School.