Braunstein & Carrozza Thank Community for Donations to the 22nd Annual Valentines for Vets Gift Drive

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Assemblyman Braunstein is pictured with students and faculty from Benjamin N. Cardozo High School, and Ocelia Claro, 2nd Vice Chair of Community Board 11.
Assemblyman Edward C. Braunstein (D-Bayside) and the Law Offices of Ann-Margaret Carrozza, along with co-sponsor Community Board 11, organized our community’s 22nd Annual Valentines for Vets Gift Drive to honor hospitalized veterans for the sacrifices they have made to defend our nation. Thousands of donations of handwritten cards, candy, new clothing items, playing cards, puzzles, and toiletries were received from 27 schools, as well as churches, civic organizations, Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, and many local residents. The gifts were delivered on Valentine’s Day by Assemblyman Braunstein, his staff, and students and faculty from Benjamin N. Cardozo High School, to the hospitalized men and women at the New York State Veterans’ Home at St. Albans and the St. Albans VA Community Living Center. “I want to thank everyone who participated, especially our local schools, for once again supporting our community’s Valentines for Vets gift drive. These donations helped to brighten the day of hundreds of veterans by showing that we care about them and appreciate their sacrifices,” said Assemblyman Braunstein. “For the 22nd year, we asked the residents of Northeast Queens to consider making a hospitalized veteran their Valentine, and they answered that appeal once again by generously donating thousands of items to our hospitalized heroes,” said Ann-Margaret Carrozza. “Additionally, I want to thank Community Board 11 for its participation in the gift drive,” said Assemblyman Braunstein. Among the schools and community organizations that contributed to this drive were: Bayside Community Library, Bayside Kiwanis, Benjamin N. Cardozo High School, Boy Scout Pack 255, Boy Scout Troop 268, CERT Team CB 7 & 11, Clearview Seniors Golf Club, Divine Wisdom Catholic Academy of Bayside, Flushing Rotary, Girl Scout Troops 4016, 4018, 4019, and 4024, Greater Whitestone Taxpayers Civic Association, Greater Whitestone Taxpayers Senior Center, IS 25, Jefferson Democratic Club, MS 67, MS 158, Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Academy, PS 21 Pre-K, PS 31, PS 32, PS 41, PS 98, PS 107, PS 130, PS 159, PS 169, PS 184, PS 193, PS 203, PS 811, PS/MS 219, Q285-WJPS, Queensboro Hill Community Church, Sacred Heart Boy Scout Troop 49, School District 30 Pre-K Centers, St. Kevin Catholic Academy, St. Luke School, St. Luke’s Operation Cheerbox, St. Mel’s Catholic Academy, St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Seniors, St. Robert Bellarmine Girl Scout Troop 4279, The Lowell School, the William Spyropoulos Greek-American Day School, and the Zion Episcopal Church Sunday School.