Bellmore Chamber of Commerce to Participate in Toys for Tots

The 2010 Toys for Tots Kick Off Luncheon was held at Oheka Castle in Huntington on Oct. 26. A buffet lunch was held before the kick-off ceremony. The reception was well-attended pulling in guests from Nassau County legislature, the local police and fire departments, and the Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores.

In cooperation with the United States Marine Corps, the Chamber once again will proudly participate as an official collector in the "Toys for Tots" program.  This 60 plus year-old tradition on Long Island makes possible the collection and distribution of unwrapped toys, donated by the community, to make the holidays happier and brighter for needy children.

Chamber President Ron Mare and Executive Director Joni Caputo had nothing but great things to say about the program.

They said: "The Toys for Tots Program, sponsored by the United States Marine Corp. is one of the best programs during the Holiday Season. The Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores is proud to participate in the annual Toys for Tots drive once again as we have for the past 25 years."

Presiding over the morning's presentation was USMC retired major Chuck Killbride. Before the invocation Killbride was enthusiastic about Toys For Tots' 63rd year helping needy children.

"The bottom line is a new unwrapped toy is a symbol of hope," Killbride said. He also delved into a bit of Toys For Tots' history looking at this year as one more in legacy of helping under privileged children.

"This is the 63rd annual Toys For Tots campaign, initially it was started in 1947 by a major, Bill Hendricks, out in California," Killbride said. "Initially it was intended it was to take care of the orphans left over from World War II. It was such a successful program that it has grown to 63 wonderful years and millions of toys."

Doing the actual collection of toys was Staff Sergeant Andre Valmore and Sergeant Brian Gomez.

"If you got a new unwrapped toy these guys are the guys that are going to collect it," Kilbride said of the collection.

Valmore added: "Everything's looking great. All we're focused on here is collecting toys and at the end of the campaign giving those toys out to the unfortunate children."

Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos was also optimistic about this year's kick-off.

"It's incredible, everbody's in a happy mood for a great cause," Maragos said. "It's getting bigger every year as you can see and it brings a lot of happiness for a lot of needy kids."

The Chamber was grateful to be able help out again with a program that means so much to so many children across the nation.

"The members of the Chamber and the community open their hearts and collect toys to help make the holidays happier and brighter for disadvantaged children," Mare and Caputo said. "By working together it helps to unite members of the Bellmore community in a common cause and that is to help children in need experience the joy of Christmas."

Throughout the Bellmores, the Chamber member businesses will serve as collection sites for the toys that will help make a child's holiday dream come true. Please call Joni Caputo at 679-1875 for a list of participating Chamber members that will serve as collection sites.

The Chamber will also be collecting toys at the various stops during their Annual Santa Visit on Friday, Nov. 26.  For a needy child, a toy can truly be a  symbol of hope.  The following locations is where you can see Santa and drop off your unwrapped toy:

Stop No. 1 – 9:00 a.m. – North – CVS Shopping Center (North Jerusalem Road) Between Bellmore Avenue and East  Meadow Avenue

Stop No. 2 – 9:30 a.m. – North – Stop & Shop Shopping Center (Newbridge Rd. & Jerusalem Ave.)

Stop No. 3 – 10:00 a.m. – South – Ace Hardware Shopping Center  (Merrick Road & Bellmore Avenue)

Stop No. 4 – 10:30 a.m. – Bellmore Village – Bellmore Firehouse

                        11:00 a.m. – Bellmore Movies – Free movie

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