Assemblyman Braunstein, his staff, and students and staff from Benjamin N. Cardozo High School are pictured on December 21, 2016 with veterans at the NYS Veterans Home at St. Albans.
Assemblyman Edward C. Braunstein (D-Bayside) wrapped up his office’s record-breaking 6th Annual holiday gift drive for hospitalized veterans and needy and hospitalized children. Once again, thousands of toys for children, as well as hundreds of toiletries, candy, clothing items, playing cards, and puzzles for veterans, were donated by civic and senior organizations, churches, 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 continuing to make these gift drives such a success. Since we received so many donations, we were able to bring smiles to the faces of hundreds of hospitalized veterans, as well as thousands of needy children this holiday season," said Braunstein.
Assemblyman Braunstein is pictured at Fort Totten with a military family which received donations from his office's 6th Annual Toy Drive.
"Additionally, I want to thank Community Board 11 and Dr. William M. Duke for their assistance and support with this year's drives," said Braunstein.
Assemblyman Braunstein provided toys to numerous institutions and charitable programs, including: 4 Kids in Need toy drive for homeless families, ANIBIC; NYC Children’s Center - Queens Campus; QSAC Day School of Whitestone; QSAC Preschool & Early Childhood Center of Douglaston; Queens Chronicle Toy Drive for homeless families and domestic violence victims, Ronald McDonald House; Sacred Heart R.C. Church Toy Drive; St. Mary’s Hospital for Children; Toys for Tots; Transition Domestic Violence Shelter; United States Army; and YAI Bayside Premier HealthCare.
All donations to the Veterans' Gift Drive were delivered on December 21, 2016 by Assemblyman 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:
All Saints Church, Aramex, Beech Hills Corporation, Benjamin N. Cardozo High School, Bridgeview Nursing Home, Congressman Joseph Crowley, Friends of Fort Totten Parks, Girl Scout Troop #4562, Greater Whitestone Taxpayers Civic Association, Greater Whitestone Taxpayers Community Center, IS 25, Jefferson Democratic Club, Knights of Columbus #430, Lutheran School of Flushing & Bayside, MS 67, MS 158, P.9, PS 32, PS 98, PS 107, PS 115, PS 159, PS 169, PS 184, PS 203, PS 209, PS 811, Sacred Heart Catholic Academy, Sacred Heart Leisure Club, Senior Club at St. Kevin's Parish, Saint Mel's Italian American Association, SNAP of Eastern Queens Innovative Senior Center, Station Road Civic Association, The Lowell School, Townsend Harris High School, and the William Spyropoulos Greek-American Day School.
Assemblyman Braunstein, his staff, and students and staff from Benjamin N. Cardozo High School are pictured on December 21, 2016 with veterans at the NYS Veterans Home at St. Albans.