Community honors minority St. Brendan collects 23 bags of toys
veterans at celebration luncheon
On Dec. 20, Goya Foods donated toys and bags of food to Bronx families in
need at the Ninos de la Caridad Foundation.
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, DEC.BTR 31, 2021-JAN. 6, 2022 29
On Dec. 21, former NYC Councilman
Andy King was joined by residents,
as they honored minority veterans
in the neighborhood.
The NABVETS were awarded the
Andy “Pops” King Community Service
Award and the Ms. Wendy Mc-
Clinton Award was given to Stephanie
Cookley. The Black Veterans
Awards were given to: Harold Payne
Sr., 88-years-old, Post 1871’s Toba La
Crown and 95-year-old Alonzo L. Decastro.
The Job Mashariki Award was
awarded to Gene Anthony Edwards,
Jr. Residents, as well as Kevin Megget
of the Black Veterans of Social Justice,
were recognized and celebrated
for the years of dedication and service
these men and women have given
to the country, as well as their infl uence
and inspiration in their neighborhood.
Veterans who were honored at the lunch.
Eighth graders at St. Brendan School hold toys they collected for Catholic Guardian Services.
Photo courtesy Samantha Ortiz
The St. Brendan School, a Catholic
elementary school in the Bronx
with the Archdiocese of New York,
held its annual toy drive for Catholic
Guardian Services (CGS). CGS
cares for over 1,000 children in need
ranging from infants to 21-year-olds.
This year, thanks to the generosity
of the school’s students and their
families, St. Brendan School collected
23 bags of toy donations for
children to enjoy in time for Christmas.
From left, Natalie Maniscalco, Goya Foods publicist, Julia Bello, an emergency response
Chaplain volunteering at the event and Rafael Toro, Director of Public Relations at Goya
Foods, greet families at the door. Photo Jewel Webber
Former NYC Councilman Andy King honors veterans. Photos courtesy Corinne Scott
Goya distributes food, toys