Holiday Toy Drive Nov. 29 For NY's Military Families

Councilmember John Liu (D-Flushing), business leaders, representatives from the United States Army and the Freedom Medical Aid Team (FreeMAT) from New York Hospital Queens urge New Yorkers to donate new toys for the children of American soldiers fighting overseas.

"This is a simple but meaningful way to show our gratitude to the men and women fighting for us abroad, as well as the families and children awaiting their return," said Liu.

The holiday gift drive, organized by NYHQ's FreeMAT, will last until November 29. All toys donated will be distributed to the children of soldiers serving abroad. Only new, unwrapped toys (of any kind) will be collected at the following sites in Flushing, Queens:

+Office of Councilmember Liu, 135- 27 38th Avenue, Suite 388.

+New York Hospital Queens (emergency room, security desk), Booth Memorial Avenue and Main Street.

+New York Hospital Queens (FreeMAT Ambulance Base),163-15 46th Ave.

Lieutenant Colonel Virginia Zoller, chief, public affairs, U.S. Army 77th Regional Readiness Command at Fort Totten, stated: "We have benefited greatly from the holiday gift drives organized by FreeMAT. They have provided invaluable support for our service members and their families. We look forward to working with everyone involved to get the toys to children in time for the holidays." Joining Zoller were Lt. Colonel Bernard Zoller; Catherine Ferran, director of Family Programs for the 77th Regional Readiness Command; and, Jackie Hill, program assistant for Family Programs.

"Help us make this holiday season a memorable time for the children of our troops. Donate a toy." Peter Kwiath, Freedom Medical Aid Team co-founder and assistant paramedic supervisor at New York Hospital Queens, said. "This toy collection brings cheer to the children who have a parent stationed overseas during the holidays."

The FreeMAT program, developed by paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) at NYHQ in 2002, actively works with hospital employees, elected officials and the community to collect donations for the families of our military troops overseas.

Mabel Law, executive director of the Flushing Business Improvement District, stated: "Many of our local businesses are generous at this time of year and we encourage all BID members to donate toys for our military families."

Sari Dickson, director of Public Affairs, and Cynthia Bacon, senior manager of Public Affairs and Marketing at New York Hospital Queens, also participated in the news conference.

New York Hospital Queens is a member of the New York-Presbyterian Healthcare System and is affiliated with the Weill Medical College of Cornell University.