State Sen. Jack Martins’ annual holiday toy drive is a gift that keeps on giving.
For the second straight year, the Mineola Republican helped deliver a load of more than 2,000 toys to children staying at Winthrop-University Hospital in Mineola to “brighten their spirits during a tough time,” he said in a statement.
“Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of the community, there will be many little faces with big smiles at Winthrop Hospital,” Martins said.
Residents, schools and a library in Martins’ state Senate district collected and donate new, unwrapped toys for the annual effort.
Center Street School, the Floral Park-Bellerose School, Parkville Elementary School, Great Neck North Middle School, the Hillside Grade School, Manhasset Secondary School, New Hyde Park Memorial High School, Weber Middle School in Port Washington, Dutch Broadway Elementary School in Elmont, Fork Lane Elementary School in Hicksville and the Rushmore Avenue School in Carle Place all gathered toys to support Martins’ drive.
The Hillside Library in New Hyde Park also contributed to the drive.
Sewanhaka school Superintendent Ralph Ferrie said his district’s schools have a “long standing tradition of execptional community service.”
“Through participating in this year’s toy drive, they were able to put a smile on a child’s face through this wonderful community service effort,” Ferrie said in a statement.
Martins’ 2014 toy drive also netted more than 2,000 toys for kids staying at Winthrop, with nine schools and two libraries participating.
Herricks’ Center Street School also took part in last year’s drive. Superintendent Fino Celano said participating in the project teaches students “the importance of giving back to the community.”
“We are very proud of our students who participated in the recent toy drive for needy children,” Celano said in a statement. “Our Herricks families are very generous, and our students continually embrace participation in community service.”
Winthrop President and CEO John F. Collins said he was grateful for Martins’ and others’ generosity, “which touches so many young children throughout the year,” he said in a statement.
“Senator Martins and all of the students who participate in this annual toy drive really help to make a difference in our patients’ lives,” Collins said.
Martins’ yearly toy drives have a history of bringing some brightness to kids in local hospitals and their families.
In January 2014, a Martins-sponsored drive delivered 350 toys to patients at the North Shore-LIJ Health System’s Cohen Children’s Medical Center in New Hyde Park, with support from the Hillside Library and the Center Street School’s Student Service Club.
Before that, in December 2011, Martins’ toy drive set a record for the largest single toy delivery to the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island in New Hyde Park.
