Hundreds of Toys Donated to Annual Weprin Holiday Toy Drive
Queens, NY – Assemblyman David I. Weprin sustained a successful holiday tradition by hosting the 24th Assembly District’s 5th annual Holiday Toy Drive this year. Weprin distributed hundreds of new toys and toys in good condition to the children of the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Queens and HeartShare Cuomo First Step Early Childhood Center in Richmond Hill on Wednesday, December 19th, just in time for the holidays.
Weprin collected toys over the past several weeks at both of his district offices and at Irwin Altman Middle School 172 in Glen Oaks with the help of Principal Jeffery Slivko and the student community. A majority of the toys were collected by the students and the rest were donated by generous constituents across the district.
The annual toy drive was dedicated in honor of local community member Jason Weinstein in 2017 after his sudden passing that year. The Weinstein family asked that all donations in honor of their son be directed to Heartshare Human Services of New York and the Assemblyman was inspired by their act of generosity. As a result, Hundreds of children across Queens will get a special surprise this holiday season in memory of Jason.
The Boys and Girls Club of Metro Queens and HeartShare Human Services of New York are both non-profits that provide vital services to residents across the city. The Boys and Girls Club is located in Richmond Hill and offers free after-school tutoring, homework assistance, and athletic and arts programs for youth ages 6-18. Also in Richmond Hill, HeartShare educates and nurtures children with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities.
“I want to thank Principal Jeffery Slivko, the students of Irwin Altman Middle School 172, and all the community members who found it in their heart to donate gifts. Each year the toy drive is more successful than the last and it would not be possible without kind hearted people of our community,” said Assemblyman David I. Weprin. “I am sure that the late Jason Weinstein would be happy to know that we were able to bring so many children a little bit of holiday joy in his honor.”