2012 Holiday Toy Drives

Written By: Talk of the Sound News

Sound Shore Medical Center Prepares for 19th Annual Toy & Coat Drive

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — November 12, 2012 – Sound Shore Medical Center (SSMC) is preparing for its 19th Anniversary Toy & Coat Drive. And again SSMC is soliciting new, unwrapped toys for children birth to 8 years of age and/or monetary donations that will help with gifts and the purchase of new coats for qualifying individuals.

The public can drop off toy contributions in the main lobby anytime through Monday, December 3rd. Tax-deductible donations can be made to SSMC’s Foundation Toy & Coat Drive and mailed to 16 Guion Place, New Rochelle, NY 10802. Credit card donations are welcome and can be made by calling 914.365.4626 or online at www.ssmc.org/makeagift.

Nineteen years ago, a grateful patient wanted to give back in a meaningful way. So, Kathy Curto and her husband, Joseph started this gift of caring in appreciation for the expert care and monitoring she received during a high-risk pregnancy. And with the help of co-founder, Patricia A. Devine, MD, Chief of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Co-Chair of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Sound Shore Medical Center’s Annual Coat & Toy Drive was born.

The first year, 60 children were recipients of an age-appropriate toy. And, now 19 years later many of the original families are still benefiting from this act of caring – with some of the first recipients now helping with the event. From the Pediatric Outpatient Holiday Party, where more than 1,200 children received age and gender-appropriate gifts to donations for the purchase of new winter coats, the caring has grown. The Curtos and Dr. Devine along with generous volunteers – from many organizations in three counties – now make a big difference for hundreds of families.

In addition to coats and toys, the Drive – with the help of Steiner Foods in New Rochelle and Yonkers Tennis Center – also provides canned goods and non-perishables. Over 300 qualified families will receive a large selection of high-quality products through this year’s efforts.

John R. Spicer, President and CEO of Sound Shore Medical Center commented, “The Toy & Coat Drive provides an incredible and needed service to people in our community.” He continued, “It is a genuine demonstration of the true spirit of the holiday season – bringing joy to those in need.”

Share the spirit of the holiday season – contribute a new toy or make a donation to help purchase new winter coats for Pediatric Outpatient families in need. For more information, call the hot line at 914-365-4567 or
e-mail ssmctoysandcoats@aol.com. Donations are tax deductible and checks should be made payable to SSMC Foundation Toy & Coat Drive and mailed to 16 Guion Place, New Rochelle, NY 10802. For online donations, use www.ssmc.org/makeagift.

For physician referrals, call MDs-LINE (914.367.5463) or visit www.ssmc.org to discover more about Sound Shore Medical Center’s award winning services and Centers of Excellence.

Parente Christmas Party 2012 Toys for Tots

December 15th Saturday night @ 8 pm is the Parente annual Toys for Tots Christmas Party
American Legion Post 8
112 North Avenue
New unwrapped gift boy or girl…baby to teen gift cards welcomed
$20 cover charge for music,open bar and full buffet
price subject to change/no discounts/all for a good cause so pay the tab.

see you you there!

Peter Parente

City School District of New Rochelle, Police Association of New Rochelle, Youth Council of the New Rochelle Youth Bureau Toy Drive

Provides gifts to children of New Rochelle families in need during the Holiday Season.

If you would like to sponsor a gift for a child from our Family List, please call Ms. Michelle Oliveros at (914) 654-2048, M-F, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm or email at Moliveros@newrochelleny.com

For further information, please contact:

Michelle Oliveros, Co-Coordinator, (914) 654-2048, 8:30 A.M. – 4:30 P.M.

Bruce Daniele, Co- Coordinator, (914) 576-4186, 8:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.

Supported in part by Hugh A. Doyle Center and New Rochelle Parks & Recreation

Deadline for Gifts: Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Westchester County Annual Holiday Gift Drive Underway

It’s that time of year again when Westchester County asks the public and local businesses to open their hearts and make donations to help Westchester children during the holiday season.

This is the ninth year of the Westchester County Holiday Gift Drive, which provides presents to children in the care of the Department of Social Services. These children are in residential facilities, foster homes and in temporary homeless shelters with their families waiting permanent housing.

Five students from Eastchester High School have already done their part – and County Executive Robert P. Astorino has invited them and their teachers to his White Plains office to thank them on Tuesday, Nov. 20 at 3 p.m.

The county executive will be accepting $3,000 in gift cards from seniors Carina Martesevici, Marie Cascione, Arlette Maher, Roisin Wiley and Ryan Winnie, as well as their faculty advisors Ellen Eldred and Edye Caine. Each year the senior class organizes an annual fair that raises money for charities that support children. This year they selected the county’s holiday drive to be the beneficiary of the effort.

Astorino said there is an added element to the holiday gift drive this season: the devastation from Hurricane Sandy.

“With many Westchester families being displaced by Sandy, we have even more children in need,” Astorino said. “Through this program, we can at least ensure that they are given something on the holiday. I thank the Eastchester students for what they have already done and encourage all of our residents and businesses to consider a donation.”

Last year, the program collected almost $12,000 in gift cards and thousands of dollars in toys, clothes and electronics.

Commissioner of Social Services Kevin McGuire said of the program: “It warms my heart when I see my staff and the county government as a whole come together to donate to help children have a nice holiday.”

Collection bins for unwrapped presents will be placed in the following county buildings:
Michaelian Office Building, 148 Martine Ave., White Plains
Department of Social Services Central Office, 112 E. Post Road, White Plains
Department of Social Services Yonkers District Office, 131 Warburton Ave., Yonkers

In addition, gifts may be dropped off at the offices of WFAS radio, 365 Secor Road, Hartsdale.

The program makes a special appeal for gift cards and cash contributions, so that gifts can be matched with the wish lists of the recipients.

If you would like to donate or sponsor a child’s wish list please, contact Matthew McCarrick at 995-4979 or HolidayGiftDrive@westchestergov.com.