Ways to Give Back This Season

These local organizations are accepting donations for the holidays and have volunteer opportunities for families.

BY BARBARA RUSSO

The holidays are a wonderful time to show how thankful you are for life’s blessings by giving to those who are less fortunate. Here are some opportunities in Staten Island for those looking to give back this holiday season.

WHERE TO DONATE TOYS & COATS

New York Cares • newyorkcares.org • 212-228-5000

For the last 30 years, New York Cares has organized the city’s largest winter coat drive, gathering more than 1.8 million winter coats. Last year the organization collected and distributed 109,000 winter coats to families who would have otherwise faced a winter without one. For a map of drop-off locations where you can donate a warm coat to someone in need, visit newyorkcares.org. The organization also offers many volunteer opportunities, with more than 1,600 listed on their website per month, including opportunities for teens and kids older than 6.

Richard Gardner Jr. Memorial Fund • rgtoydrive.org • 718-981-2016

Since 1995, the Richard Gardner Jr. Memorial Fund has held Christmas parties for sick and underprivileged children, donating thousands of toys in memory of a young police officer who was killed. Every year, the organization reaches out to underprivileged families, sick children, underprivileged day care centers, children without families, organizations assisting families of domestic violence, underprivileged churches, and children with sick parents. This year, the fund plans to visit children at Richmond University Medical Center and Staten Island University Hospital on Dec. 24. The toy drive will be held at Castleton Corners Pub (1815 Victory Blvd.) on Dec. 4 from 6-10pm. Call or email toys@rgtoydrive.org for more information.

Secret Sandy Claus Project • sscpny.org • 646-623-7542

The organization originally began to deliver toys and relief items to thousands of families affected by Hurricane Sandy. It has since helped many more children in need, whether they be children battling cancer, with a disability, experiencing homelessness, in a foster home, or who are economically disadvantaged. Details about where to drop off a toy donation will be announced soon. Call or visit the website for more information.

Toys 4 Autism • toys4autism.org

John Louis Sublett is once again encouraging Staten Islanders to open their hearts for children with special needs. In the past, with the help of his son, John Jr., who has autism, and the South Shore Rotary Club, he was able to fill 180 gift bags with specialized toys and distribute them to the students of P.S 37, a school for children with developmental delays. John Jr. is a former student at P.S. 37. This year, Sublett aims to fill 400 gift bags for children attending special education schools on Staten Island. You can donate specialized toys to Toys 4 Autism via its Amazon Wish List or donate on GoFundMe.

Toys For Tots • toysfortots.org

Run by the U.S. Marine Corps, Toys for Tots collects and distributes toys to children in need during the holidays so they can experience the joys of the season. There are nearly 40,000 Marines, Marine Corps League members, veteran Marines, and volunteers involved in annual campaigns nationwide. It is accepting brand-new, unopened, unwrapped toys, or monetary donations for less fortunate children in the community through December. Visit the website to find local campaigns or to make a monetary donation.

Where To Turn’s Holiday Toy Drive • where-to-turn.org

The organization works to provide crisis relief services for victims of tragedies by aiding them in obtaining the help they need during the recovery process. Each year, the organization collects and distributes toys through its warehouse at 22 Brienna Court, but this year the store will be virtual. Check the website or email Dennis McKeon at dennis.mckeon@where-to-turn.org for details about drive.

WHERE TO DONATE FOOD

City Harvest • cityharvest.org • 646-412-0600

City Harvest is a food rescue organization that helps to feed more than 1.5 million New Yorkers who are struggling to put meals on their tables. The organization plans to collect 111 million pounds of food this year and deliver it, free of charge, to hundreds of food pantries, soup kitchens, and other community organizations across the five boroughs. Visit the website to learn how you can help.

Project Hospitality • projecthospitality.org • 718-448-1544

This Staten Island-based organization serves the hungry and homeless, as well as people living with HIV & AIDS, those with mental illnesses, and people battling addiction. You can donate a variety of items to its food pantry, including fresh fruits and vegetables, in addition to non-perishables. Visit the website for a list of the most in-demand items. Food donations can be dropped off at the Community Services Center at 514 Bay St., Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm. You can also donate holiday supplies, including turkeys and food for a holiday feast, holiday gifts and toys, Halloween costumes, Easter baskets, and other holiday items. Call for more information.

WHERE TO DONATE MONEY OR VOLUNTEER

Catholic Charities of Staten Island • cc-si.org • 718-984-1500

The organization works to serve the Staten Island community through a variety of direct services. These services include infant and preschool day care, residential and other programs for developmentally challenged youth, social services to families in crisis, assistance to senior citizens, and more. Visit the website for more information.

Cops Care for Kids • copscareforkids.org • 646-470-3038

Started by an NYPD lieutenant and his wife, Cops Care for Kids aims to help pediatric patients with long term illnesses and disabilities by providing financial and emotional support. The children receive plaques and junior police badges for their strength and bravery as well as plenty of toys. You can donate on the organization’s website.

Maddie’s Sweet Treats Shop • Facebook Group: Maddie’s Sweet Treats Shop

Maddie French is only 9, but she’s making a big difference in her community. The Staten Island resident recently launched Maddie’s Sweet Treats Shop where she sells her own homemade baked goods and donates part of the proceeds to a new charity each month. Past charities have been the JCC’s Sunrise Day Camp and the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, both based on Staten Island. Check Maddie’s Facebook page to learn how you can (deliciously!) support the latest charity Maddie has scheduled for the holiday season—and turn to p. 38 for more information.

Meals On Wheels of Staten Island • mealsonwheelsofstatenisland.com • 718-727-4435

Meals on Wheels serves to ensure elderly people in the community receive nutritious meals and the human connection they need to help them live independently, by delivering two meals per day to senior citizens who live alone. Anyone older than 18 with a driver’s license and 2 free hours one morning per week can apply to deliver meals. To donate or find out about volunteering, visit the website.

Project Hospitality • projecthospitality.org • 718-448-1544

This Staten Island-based organization serves the hungry and homeless, as well as people living with HIV & AIDS, those with mental illnesses, and people battling addiction. It’s always looking for volunteers, ages 16 and older, to assist in its soup kitchen, food and clothing pantries, with child care services, tutoring, fundraising events, and more. For more information, to donate, and to download an application, visit the website.

Where To Turn’s Snow Shoveling for Seniors • where-to-turn.org

The organization works to provide crisis relief services for victims of tragedies by aiding them in obtaining the help they need during the recovery process. Where to Turn recruits student volunteers every year, each of whom adopts 1 of 2,500 Staten Island seniors who are registered with the program to shovel their driveways and walkways, free of charge, when it snows. Visit the website to apply.