LI 4
• DECEMBER 6, 2012 • LONG ISLANDER LIFE Photo by Brent Eysler
Toy drives (Continued from page LI 3)
locations and open houses on Dec. 9 from 2-4 p.m. The toy drive was the brainchild of Laura Zambratto, an associate director with the organization’s upper tier marketing program. She hosted a Toys for Tots drop-off during an open house at one of her listings, and by the end of the open house had greeted more than 100 visitors including neighbors, prospective homebuyers, real estate agents and friends. “I was overwhelmed by the enthusiasm and generosity of the community,” she said. “One person brought two new bicycles. I knew right away that the Daniel Gale Sotheby’s organization would want to join with me this year and help collect toys for children in our local communities.” Under Zambratto’s guidance, including their Huntington and Cold Spring Harbor offices, a total of 54 locations will be hosting drop-off events, with decorations and refreshments, and at every Daniel Gale Sotheby’s open house across the North Shore on Dec 9. In addition, donors can drop off new, unwrapped toys at any Daniel Gale Sotheby’s office from Dec. 29. Duehr said they are most in need of donations for children ages 0-2 and 9-12. Visit www.danielgale.com to find a list of Dec. 9 open houses in the campaign; for all other drop-off locations, visit http://amityville-ny.toysfortots.org and click on the “Toy Drop-Offs” button, or call Duehr at 631-962-1631. And on Dec. 13, the Toys of Hope Children’s Charity will be bringing the holidays alive for needy children in a most majestic setting.
The Toys of Hope Children’s Charity will bring the holidays alive at Oheka Castle on Dec. 13. Last year, 300 children, ages 3 to 5, received toys from the charity and enjoyed a day of entertainment thanks to an army of volunteers. On that day, about 300 needy children ages 3-5 will be treated to a holiday party, a grand spectacle complete with clowns, a DJ, television characters and celebrities pitching in to create a magical celebration. To add a child to the invitation list, sponsor the event or sponsor a child, call 631-271TOYS, visit their website at www.toysofhope.org. The $75 admission pays for a child’s bag of presents. The rough economy is not the only major driver in this year’s increased need. The af-
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termath of Hurricane Sandy, Sandler noted, has been a contributing factor to this year’s increased demand. “I had one woman personally call me to say, ‘I didn’t have power for 10 days, and that money is gone. She spent the little savings she had for the kids’ [holiday gifts],” she said. Toys of Hope has also been doing doubleduty: Earlier in November, they teamed with Huntington Manor Fire Department to collect supplies, which they delivered to the
hardest-hit communities on the South Shore of Long Island. While Duehl said Sandy increased need, it has been a major catalyst for giving back. “It’s one of those things. We have seen an increase in need, but I’ve seen a lot of different organizations – they come up to us and they say, we need to give toys to the victims of Sandy. How can we help?” he explained. “While you might see a rise in need, you’ll also see a rise in helping hands.”