NOVEMBER 2019 • LONGISLANDPRESS.COM 27
PRESS BUSINESS
GIVING TOYS FOR TOTS
KIDS HOPE
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BY ROB PELAEZ
As the holidays approach, the local
chapter of the U.S. Marines-run
nonprofit Toys for Tots gears up
for another season of gathering donated
gifts to give to less fortunate
children across Long Island.
Last year more than 220,000 toys
were distributed to 110,000 children
in Nassau and Suffolk counties,
according to Garden City Toys for
Tots.
“One of my best memories is when
I was up in North Shore Hospital
delivering toys to the pediatric
unit,” retired Marine Major Chuck
Kilbride, Long Island’s representative
for the past 30 years, told the
Levittown Tribune. “There was a
little girl who had just gotten her
third bone marrow transplant. She
looked up at one
of the Marines
that was with
us and told
him he was
her hero. The
Marine took off
his medals,
pinne d
them on the little girl and told her,
‘No, you are my hero.’”
Toys for Tots is a nationwide initiative
that was the brainchild of
a Marine Corps Reserve Major
in 1947. Now in its 72nd year,
it has about 800 chapters
nationwide.
The organization asks for newly
wrapped, unopened toys to
be donated from October
to early December so
they are properly
distributed along
the Island. The
organization’s
mission is to
assist the U.S.
Marine Corps
in uplifting
disadvantaged
children at Christmas.
The aim is to
give these youngsters the hope
they need to become responsible,
productive, patriotic citizens.
Along with the other men and
women who have continued to
serve the country by spearheading
local branches of the foundation,
Kilbride ensures that kids get the
toys that they truly require. When
visiting the United Cerebral Palsy
Association of Nassau County several
years ago, Kilbride remarked
on the fact that the children present
require certain toys for their needs.
“We had the opportunity to donate
$25,000 worth of toys to help these
physically disabled kids,” he said.
“We at the marine core love to put
a smile on a kid’s face.”
Donation boxes will be placed in
high-traffic public places through
the holidays. For more information,
visit garden-city-ny.toysfortots.org
/www.parkfuneralchapels.com
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