Assemblyman Edward C. Braunstein (D-Bayside) wrapped up his holiday gift drive for hospitalized veterans, as well as a toy drive for needy and hospitalized children. Thousands of toys for children, as well as hundreds of toiletries, candy and clothing items for veterans, were donated by churches, synagogues, civic organizations, senior citizen clubs, 15 schools and dozens of local residents.

"I was amazed by the overwhelming generosity of my constituents in helping to bring holiday cheer to those in need. I want to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to our community for once again making these gift drives such a success. Since we received so many donations, we were able to bring smiles to the faces of thousands of needy children, as well as hundreds of hospitalized veterans this holiday season," said Braunstein.

"In addition, I want to thank Community Board 11 and Dr. William Duke for their assistance and support with this year's drives," said Braunstein.

Assemblyman Braunstein provided toys to numerous institutions and charitable programs, including: Bayside Kiwanis Club Drive for the Broad Channel Volunteer Fire Department and Ambulance Corps; Cohen Children's Medical Center; Interdisciplinary Center for Child Development; NYC Children's Center - Queens Campus; Operation FreeMAT; QSAC Day School of Whitestone; QSAC Preschool & Early Childhood Center of Douglaston; Queens Chronicle Toy Drive for Dove House, Kings Inn, and Metro Family Residence; Queens Courier Drive for Queens Centers for Progress; Ronald McDonald House; Sacred Heart R.C. Church Toy Drive; St. Mary's Hospital for Children; and Transition Domestic Violence Shelter.

All donations to the Veterans' Gift Drive were delivered by Braunstein and his staff to the St. Albans Community Living Center of the VA New York Harbor Healthcare System and the New York State Veterans Home at St. Albans.

Among the schools and community organizations that contributed to this drive:

AARP Chapter 1405, Bayside Brownie Troop 4562, Bayside Community Library, Bayside Kiwanis Club, Edward Jones, Friends of Fort Totten Parks, Greater Whitestone Taxpayers Civic Association, Greater Whitestone Taxpayers Community Center, Immaculate Conception School, IS 25, Jefferson Democratic Club of Northeast Queens, Little Neck-Douglaston American Legion Post# 103, MS 67, MS 158, MS 294, P.9, PS 32, PS 98, PS 159, PS 169, PS 184, PS 193, PS 811, Sacred Heart Boy Scout Troop 49, Selfhelp Clearview Senior Center, Senior Club at St. Kevin's Parish, St. Andrew Avellino School, St. Mel's Italian American Association, Temple Torah of Little Neck, Whitestone Angels, and the William Spyropoulos Greek-American Day School.