Pols sponsor holiday toy drives for children in need

November 23, 2016 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Assemblymember Nicole Malliotakis presents toys to military service members at the U.S. Army Garrison at Fort Hamilton last year. Photo courtesy of Malliotakis’s office

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Two of Southwest Brooklyn’s elected officials are getting ready to play Santa Claus this holiday season by sponsoring toy drives for children from underprivileged families.

Assemblymembers Nicole Malliotakis and Bill Colton are both collecting toys that they will be presenting to organizations in their districts.

Malliotakis (R-C-Bay Ridge-Staten Island), who has organized a toy drive each year for the past six years, said she is always heartened by the generosity of the residents of her assembly district.

“We’re so fortunate to experience such a tremendous display of generosity in our community every year, and the toys we brought to the children are met with great happiness and appreciation. Together, we can once again support our local organizations and bring joy to many children this holiday season,” she said in a statement.

Malliotakis is asking residents to drop off new, unwrapped toys at any of the following Bay Ridge locations: Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church, 8401 Ridge Boulevard; Salam Arabic Lutheran Church, 414 80th St.; and Dimitrios and Georgia Kaloidis Parochial School, 8502 Ridge Boulevard.

The toy drive will take place from now until Dec. 16. For more information, call Malliotakis’ office at 718-987-0197.

Colton (D-Gravesend-Bensonhurst) is busy organizing a toy drive with Nancy Tong and Charles Ragusa, the Democratic Party district leaders of the 47th Assembly District, which Coltin represents.

Colton said he will be working with several community groups to distribute hundreds of toys to neighborhood children. He is working in partnership with the Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots program.

Residents can bring toys to Colton’s district office, at 155 Kings Highway, from now until Dec. 23.

“Every holiday season, the spirit of everyone coming together is the most important thing. I hope that everyone can contribute this year. My office will be accepting donations for the next month,” Colton said.

“Our end goal for the annual toy collection is the smile that it brings to all the recipients,” Tong said. “I’m glad that people are generous enough to donate toys for the needy.”

Ragusa, who said “every little toy counts,” added that each donation “will make a child happier this holiday season.”

For more information on the toy drive, call Colton’s office at 718-236-1598.