The Bronx Chamber of Commerce is doing their part tp deliver thousands of toys to children of the borough this holiday season.
In partnership with Bronx Toys, the Chamber initiated “Operation Bronx Toys” this December, a toy drive that collected over 30,000 FDNY and NYPD-themed toys to be distributed to Bronx kids on Christmas Eve.
Bronx Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Lenny Caro, along with chairman Joe Kelleher, Bronx Toys founder Bill Long, representatives of the New York Yankees, and other volunteers, delivered the toys to the Montefiore Children’s Hospital, the Police Athletic League Center at 991 Longwood Avenue, and the Betances Cornerstone Community Center at 465 St. Anns Avenue on Thursday, December 15 and Friday, December 16.
“It’s something we took pride in this holiday season. It’s obviously a time for giving and it’s important that every child gets a present this Christmas,” Caro said. “Our partnership with Bronx Toys is a strong one and the Chamber shares the same feelings about making kids smile in the Bronx. This is one of the biggest toy drives we were ever able to put together.”
The partnership with Bronx Toys, who manufactures, distributes and retails unique, New York City-themed toys, games and gifts that are officially licensed by the City of New York, was developed in an attempt to create a stronger relationship between uniform services and children.
Children at Montefiore were excited to receive their new toys, which included fire trucks, police cars, basketballs, baseballs, and more. Four-year-old Jesus Garcia had a huge smile on his face after receiving his present, and Meghan Kelly, director of the Child Life Program at Montefiore, could not have been more pleased.
“It’s something great to see when people of the Bronx want to help the children of the Bronx,” Kelly said. “The children didn’t know that all of these special guests were coming today to surprise them with all of these toys. It’s wonderful when they come here and you can see the reactions on the kids faces.”
For more information about “Operation Bronx Toys,” the Bronx Chamber of Commerce can be reached at (718) 828-3900, or about Bronx Toys, which can be reached at (718) 894-9804.
Reach Vito Signorile via e-mail at vsignorile@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 742-3383.
