By Taylor Sterling
As noted previously in the Dispatch, for the past 10 years our County Executive, Steve Neuhaus sparked this drive when he participated in a train ride stopping along each town where men and women in the military were there to greet him. When he returned, he shared with me that he witnessed the children of our military without proper outerwear in the winter. It broke our hearts and we thought, if there were no coats, for sure there would be no toys at Christmas. Hence the start of the Toys for Miliary Tots was born save for one aspect. All the toys would stay local in Orange County. They have and they continue to be. The two recipient groups, children of Disabled American Veterans and children of military either stationed or deployed at Stewart Air Force Base divide up all the toys and give them to the parents of the children to be sure their children know that Santa has visited. As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words (see photos) and the toys added up to way over 5,000 estimated at over $50K ! Thank you to our incredible Orange County Executive, Steve Neuhaus, Orange County Commissioner of Emergency Services, Pete Cirigliano, Orange County Sheriff, Paul Arteta, Samantha Pascal, Public Info Office for the Sheriff’s Office, Supervisor of the Town of Monroe, Tony Cardone, President of Burke Catholic, John Douthit as well as the Principal, Janice Clark, Congressman Pat Ryan’s office, the amazing Nam Knights of OC with Pres. John Richichi, Stephen Kitar of Sam’s Meat Warehouse, Legislator Joe Minuta, Assemblyman, Karl Brabenec , Susan Dean of McKesson, the wonderful teachers of Park Avenue Elementary, Amy & Theresa, with their amazing students as well as Sanfordville, the Warwick Middle School and the Warwick High School, who amassed over 1000 toys, Bravo to them all. Having spoken to each of those student councils for each of the 4 local schools I saw the energy, understanding and desire to do good in their faces and they proved me right! We also wish to thank each and every resident and business owner who contributed as well, including Orange Bank & Trust, Minuta Architecture, and many more as well as all of our loyal listeners. The two recipients who were astounded at the bounty were Pete & Laura Rollins representing the Disabled American Veterans of Orange County, and MSgt Gisella Fredenburg of Stewart Air Force Base. I apologize if you do not see your name, however you are all in our prayers with heartfelt thanks for bringing smiles to the many faces of the children on Christmas Day. God Bless us one and all! Wishing you all a very Blessed Christmas. Remember, as my mommy and daddy would say, “giving back is good for your heart and great for your soul.”
