By Tom Momberg
State Assemblyman Ed Braunstein (D-Bayside) announced the end of his holiday gift drive last week, which he said collected thousands of children’s toys, as well as toiletries and clothing for veterans. The items collected for the veterans gift drive went to residents at the St. Albans VA Community Living Center and the state Veterans Home in St. Albans.
The thousands of toys that were collected went to charitable programs and institutions like the Queens campus of the city Children’s Center, the QSAC Day School in Whitestone and St. Mary’s Hospital for Children.
Braunstein commits to a holiday gift drive every year, but he said this year’s drive had the greatest participation yet.
“I was overwhelmed once again by the incredible generosity of my constituents, who helped 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 needy children, as well as hundreds of hospitalized veterans this holiday season,” Braunstein said in a statement.
At least 16 nearby public schools took part in the drives, along with the Bayside Community Library, the Bayside Kiwanis Club, Friends of Fort Totten Parks, the Greater Whitestone Taxpayers Civic Association and community center, the Jefferson Democratic Club; Lucille Roberts stores, Queensboro Hill Community Church, the senior club at St. Kevin’s Parish and several more. ~Tom Momberg
