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.

Congresswomen Carolyn Maloney Helps U.S. Marine Corps Distribute Toys For Tots At The Roosevelt Island Youth Center

Congresswomen Maloney and RI Youth Center Director DeFino At Roosevelt Island Toys For Tots Distribution

Received the following message from Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney's office.

Roosevelt Island, NY, December 23, 2009 – U.S. Representative Carolyn B. Maloney this evening joined Executive Director Charles DeFino and staff at the Roosevelt Island Youth Center to help distribute “Toys for Tots” at the Center. Every year, Congresswoman Maloney helps the United States Marine Corps (USMC) distribute thousands of Toys for Tots to children at youth centers and in public housing developments in New York’s 14th Congressional District. This year, the USMC named the Congresswoman’s late husband Clifton Maloney an Honorary Vice Chairman of the Toys for Tots program in New York City.

“For decades, Toys for Tots has given gifts to children who might otherwise go without during the holiday season,” Maloney said. “This program is one of the Marine Corps’ most cherished missions and another example of the many ways our men and women in uniform serve our nation day in and day out.”

“I am touched that Toys for Tots is making my husband an Honorary Vice Chairman,” Maloney said. “Clif was a Navy veteran and I know that he would be honored that fellow members of the military are recognizing his service.”

"2009 USMC Toys for Tots Honorary Vice Chair and Navy veteran Clif Maloney lived life to its fullest. I know that his wife, the Honorable Carolyn Maloney, and their two beautiful daughters will continue to serve their community and the underprivileged children of New York,” said Major Chuck Kilbride of the USMC. “We at Toys for Tots are privileged to donate these new toys to the kids of Roosevelt Island as a symbol of hope on behalf of all the members of the Marine Corps. God bless America."

The USMC’s “Toys for Tots” programs collects new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December, and distributes those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in communities throughout the United States. Every year, Maloney and her staff help the USMC distribute toys to underprivileged children throughout New York’s 14th Congressional District, which includes Roosevelt Island and most of Manhattan’s East Side and western Queens.

Congresswoman Maloney Distributing Toys To Roosevelt Island Girl

More information on Roosevelt Island Toys For Tots from RIOC and the Marine Toys For Tots Foundation.

Roosevelt Island Helps the Marine Toys For Tots Program

Toys For Tots image from RIOC

RIOC is participating in a Toys For Tots Program and provides the following information:

RIOC will be hosting collection sites for the 2008 US Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program

Please donate a New, Unwrapped Toy to this wonderful cause.

All donations will be distributed by the US Marine Corps Reserve for distribution to children in need in the local NY area.

Drop off areas will be located at both the RI and Manhattan sides of the Tram, The RI Public Safety Office, Trellis Restaurant and at the RIOC offices at 591 Main Street.

Thank you and Happy Holidays!

Roosevelt Island Tram Station Drop Off Toys For Tots Box

More information on Marine Toys for Tots can be found here.

Toys For Tots on Roosevelt Island

RIOC's Upcoming Events page provides the following information.

Toys for Tots collection program

When: Through December 21st
Participate in this years US Marine Corp Toys for Tots program.
IT'S VERY EASY: SIMPLY BRING A NEW, UNWRAPPED TOY AND DROP IT IN ONE OF THE COLLECTION BOXES.
The Marines will be returning on December 21st to collect the boxes and distribute them to charitable organizations, houses of worship, foster homes, shelters, etc. in the NY metropolitan area.
Toy collection boxes will be available at the following locations on Roosevelt Island:

1) RIOC Main Office -591 Main Street
2) Public Safety- 552 Main Street
3) Tram Plaza- Manhattan Side
4) Trellis Diner- 549 Main Street

For more information, please call 212-832-4540

Other Roosevelt Island Weekend Events:

Environmental Awareness Fair

When: Saturday, Dec. 15th from 1pm-3pm
Where: Chapel of the Good Shepherd
Free snacks, refreshments & lots of good information on recycling, water conservation, energy efficiency, and more!
For more information, please contact Sylvia Giralde at 212-832-4540 ext. 314

Holiday Party and Open House

Main Street Theatre and Dance Alliance
When: Sunday, December 16th 3:00pm-6:00ppm Music, dance and seasonal songs, refreshments and gift sale
Where: 548 Main Street (Red Awning behind the video store) Free

Roosevelt Island 360 has more on weekend events.
Image is from Toys for Tots 2007