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Giving Giving Back Back This This Season Season
These local organizations are accepting donations for the holidays and have volunteer opportunities for families. BY BARBARA RUSSO
T
he holidays are a wonderful time to show how thankful you are for life’s blessings by giving to those who are less fortunate. Here are some opportunities in Staten Island for those looking to give back this holiday season.
WHERE TO DONATE TOYS & COATS New York Cares
newyorkcares.org 212-228-5000 For the last 30 years, New York Cares has organized the city’s largest winter coat drive, gathering more than 1.8 million winter coats. Last year the organization collected and distributed 109,000 winter coats to families who would have otherwise faced a winter without one. For a map of drop-off locations where you can donate a warm coat to someone in need, visit newyorkcares.org. The organization also offers many volunteer opportunities, with more than 1,600 listed on their website per month, including opportunities for teens and kids older than 6.
Richard Gardner Jr. Memorial Fund rgtoydrive.org 718-981-2016
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Since 1995, the Richard Gardner Jr. Memorial Fund has held Christmas parties for sick and underprivileged children, donating thousands of toys in memory of a young police officer who was killed. Every year, the organization reaches out to underprivileged families, sick children, underprivileged day care centers, children without families, organizations assisting families of domestic violence, underprivileged churches, and children with sick parents. This year, the fund plans to visit children at Richmond University Medical Center and Staten Island University Hospital on Dec. 24. The toy drive will be held at Castleton Corners Pub (1815 Victory Blvd.) on Dec. 4 from 6-10pm. Call or email toys@rgtoydrive.org for more information.
Secret Sandy Claus Project
sscpny.org 646-623-7542 The organization originally began to deliver toys and relief items to thousands of families affected by Hurricane Sandy. It has since helped many more children in need, whether they be children battling cancer, with a disability, experiencing
homelessness, in a foster home, or who are economically disadvantaged. Details about where to drop off a toy donation will be announced soon. Call or visit the website for more information.
Toys 4 Autism
toys4autism.org John Louis Sublett is once again encouraging Staten Islanders to open their hearts for children with special needs. In the past, with the help of his son, John Jr., who has autism, and the South Shore Rotary Club, he was able to fill 180 gift bags with specialized toys and distribute them to the students of P.S 37, a school for children with developmental delays. John Jr. is a former student at P.S. 37. This year, Sublett aims to fill 400 gift bags for children attending special education schools on Staten Island. You can donate specialized toys to Toys 4 Autism via its Amazon Wish List or donate on GoFundMe.
Toys For Tots
toysfortots.org Run by the U.S. Marine Corps, Toys for continued on p. 22
