Assemblyman Edward C. Braunstein (D-Bayside) and the Law Offices of Ann-Margaret Carrozza, along with co-sponsor Community Board 11, organized our community’s 21st Annual Valentines for Vets Gift Drive to honor hospitalized veterans for the sacrifices they have made to defend our nation. Thousands of donations of handwritten cards, candy, new clothing items, playing cards, puzzles, and toiletries were received from 24 schools, as well as civic organizations, Girl Scout troops, and local residents. The gifts were delivered on Thursday, February 16th by Assemblyman Braunstein, his staff, and students and faculty from Benjamin N. Cardozo High School, to the hospitalized men and women at the St. Albans VA Community Living Center and the New York State Veterans Home at St. Albans. “I want to thank everyone, especially our local schools, for once again supporting our Valentines for Vets gift drive. These donations helped to brighten the day of hundreds of veterans by showing that we care about them and appreciate their sacrifices,” said Assemblyman Braunstein. “For the 21st year, we asked the residents of Northeast Queens to consider making a hospitalized veteran their Valentine, and they answered that appeal once again by generously donating thousands of items for our hospitalized heroes,” said Ann-Margaret Carrozza. “Additionally, I want to thank Community Board 11 for their participation in the gift drive,” said Braunstein. Among the schools and community organizations that contributed to this drive were: All Saints Church, Bayside Kiwanis, Bayside Community Library, Benjamin N. Cardozo High School, Bridge View Nursing Home, Council Member Peter Koo’s Office, Divine Wisdom Catholic Academy of Bayside, First Reformed Church of College Point, Friends of Fort Totten Parks, Greater Whitestone Taxpayers Community Center, Holy Cross High School, Holy Trinity School, IS 25, Jefferson Democratic Club, Little Neck Douglaston Memorial Day Parade Committee, Mary’s Nativity/St. Ann’s Parish, MS 67, MS 158, MS 294, PS 32, PS 79, PS 107, PS 115, PS 130, PS 169, PS 184, PS 186, PS 193, PS 203, PS 221, PS 811, PS/MS 219, Queensboro Hill Community Church, Ridgewood Savings Bank of Bayside, Sacred Heart Girl Scout Troop 4000, Sacred Heart Brownie Troop 4145, St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Seniors, St. Robert Bellarmine Girl Scout Troop 4279, The Lowell School, Townsend Harris High School, and the William Spyropoulos Greek-American Day School.

Members of Sacred Heart Girl Scout Troop 4000 are pictured with their donations to the 21st Annual Valentines for Vets Gift Drive.