It is that time of year and throughout Queens individuals, local politicians and community organizations are reaching out to make the holidays, and everyday, better and brighter for those who might otherwise go without during this season of sharing. Here are just a few:
TOY DRIVES
• St. Theresa's Church and School will collect toys – for children of all ages - every Sunday until Christmas. The toys will be distributed to children who visit St. Theresa's food pantry each week. Both wrapped and unwrapped toys will be accepted, but organizers ask that wrapped toys have a tag indicating what the toy is. For more information, call St. Theresa's at 718-784-2123.
• The Queens Child Guidance Center (QCGC) is collecting toys for all ages of kids and teenagers -from birth to 18. However, they are in particular need of gifts for teens, including sports equipment for boys and gift cards for both boys and girls. The deadline to drop off wrapped gifts at the QCGC, located at 60-02 Queens Boulevard, is Monday, December 18. The toys will be handed out to children at several clinics dedicated to treating emotionally disturbed and substance abusing patients. For more information, call Lynn Sanelli at 718-651-7770, Ext. 329.
• Community Board 2, located at 43-22 50th Street, on the Second Floor, in Woodside will collect toys until Saturday, December 20. Donors are encouraged to drop off unwrapped gifts for all ages of children - from Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The gifts will be given to 133 children at Metro Family Residence, a center for abused and battered mothers and children. For more information, call Community Board 2 at 718-533-8773.
• In its mission to build the self-esteem, values and skills of the young people it serves, South Queens Boys & Girls Club in Richmond Hill is currently hosting its annual “Dear Santa” toy and gift card drive. All gifts will be distributed at the Club's Annual Holiday Party for Club Kids on December 21. To participate, request a “Dear Santa” gift letter from Bibi Razack at 718-441-6050, Ext. 203.
• The Child Center of New York (CCNY) is collecting toys and gift certificates until December 18 at its office located at 60-02 Queens Boulevard, lower level, in Woodside. CCNY recommends age-appropriate toys for young children and gift certificates ranging from $15 to $25 for older children from suitable retailers such as electronics merchants, clothing, book or bath and beauty stores.
FOOD DRIVES
• The Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary Chapter 118 in Glendale has been helping soldiers based abroad and their families save up to $50 per month from their shopping bills through a coupon drive it began in August 2006. According to Margaret Finnerty, who spearheads the effort, because U.S. savings coupons are not available overseas, the chapter has clipped and sent over 62,000 manufacturers' coupons to four overseas bases since it began the project. For more information on how you can help, e-mail editorial@queenscourier.com or call The Queens Courier at 718-224-5863.
• City Councilmember Melinda Katz has begun her fifth annual Holiday Food and Toy drive. All non-perishable food donations will be given to The Food Bank of New York City, and the toys will go to the Ronald McDonald House and Elmhurst Hospital Pediatric Ward. Those who wish to participate should drop off new, unwrapped toys and canned and other non-perishable foods at the Councilmember's District Office, located at 104-01 Metropolitan Avenue until Friday, December 22.
• Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, City Councilmember Joseph P. Addabbo will collect canned food and coats for local families in need at his district office located at 159-53 102nd Street in Howard Beach. Addabbo will also continue collecting toiletries for U.S. soldiers serving in Iraq as part of his ongoing collection drive for the troops.
BOOK DRIVE
• The Books for Kids Foundation will be collecting new books at every Starbucks location in Queens and New York City until Monday, December 25.
Along with the Fund for Public Schools and Jumpstart, the organization will donate the books to city schools and local non-profits. So far, P.S. 13 in Elmhurst has been confirmed as one of the schools that will receive books from the drive. For more information, call Nell O'Donnell at 212-252-9168.
HOLIDAY EVENTS
• Santa Claus will shower about 200 children with cerebral palsy and other developmental disabilities with gifts donated by the Jamaica Rotary Club and the NYPD at the Queens Centers for Progress Children's Center in Jamaica at its annual holiday party on December 20.
• Sister Hannah Marie Cox of St. Helen's R.C. Church in Howard Beach said church members will provide eight separate organizations - including one that provides gifts to the children of prison inmates - with an estimated 500 gifts to distribute and young church members will decorate shoeboxes containing hats, socks and gloves for donation to homeless men.
