A Roosevelt Island Christmas Tale - Local Residents, RIOC Public Safety Officers and RI Youth Program Help Bring Toys For Tots to Coler Hospital Children's Ward

A Roosevelt Island Christmas story from Sasha Ross:

A few weeks ago  Priscilla Morales told me she was collecting toys for the Toys for Tots program and asked if we, as a Roosevelt Island community, could donate a toy or two for less fortunate children.

Of course I was willing to donate what I could.

The collection ended 12/19 (last Friday) so when I noticed the boxes still sitting in the PS/IS 217 school on Monday, I asked why. Apparently Toys for Tots had not picked them up yet.

Yesterday, about 5:45 pm I got a phone call from Priscilla asking about the children's ward at Coler Hospital. PS/IS 217 was closing at 6pm and would remain closed until after the new year. She needed a place to donate the toys before it was too late.

So, I made a few phone calls. Yes there was a Coler Hospital children's ward I was told. But no, they were not sure if they could accept any donations, I would have to wait for another call from someone in Coler Hospital's Human Resources department.

I was able to use the Roosevelt Island Youth Program (RIYP) Center as a holding area for the toys until I got a call back from someone in HR at Coler. I called the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Safety Department (PSD) for some help. I would need transport to the hospital, would PSD help?

Well it all worked out and by 7:30pm yesterday, the Coler Hospital Children's ward received 2 huge densely packed boxes of brand new Christmas toys.

Image of Toys For Tots Delivery To Coler Hospital Representative By Sasha Ross

So I'm sending a huge thank you to Priscilla Morales for such an amazing idea. To RIYP's Romance Barber, PSD's Chief Jack McManus, Sergeant Michelle Evans and Sergeant Rodell Lindsey for all of their help. I know we all made those children's holiday season a bit better.

Also, a Big Thank You to Ms. Ross for her efforts to bring Christmas Toys to children at Coler Hospital and for telling us the story.