Community Corner
Suffolk Community Orgs To Give Away 2,500 Toys Friday
Bishop E. Edward Robinson says community members wanted to show "We're more than the negativity."
GORDON HEIGHTS, NY — A group in Gordon Heights — a community that's experienced two tragic deaths recently — is hoping to spread some good news this holiday season.
A group of community organizations have joined together with The Breakthrough Chapel to collect 2,500 toys that will be distributed on Friday at the Gordon Heights Fire Department.
The Breakthrough Chapel's Bishop E. Edward Robinson, who is serving as the group's spokesman, said his organization normally collects about 1,000 toys, but the community decided to band together in light of the tragedies because they felt extra help was needed.
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"I just think that our community just needs healing and hope," he said. "And what a better way than to unite for love."
Thirteen-year-old Tyler Phillips died after he was struck by a hit-and-run driver on Granny Road on Oct. 12, devastating the community. Weeks later on Oct. 29, Martina Thompson was shot to death in the parking lot of a strip mall in Coram.
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The organizations included not only the LI Breakthrough Chapel and the fire department, but also KO Care, Greater Gordon Heights Chambers of Commerce, Improve Gordon Heights, and Dare To Dream.
By banding together, the organizations collected another 1,500 toys that will be given out.
"We pooled our resources," he said, adding that Toys for Tots, the Suffolk County Police Department, and the Town of Brookhaven all contributed.
Robinson said that he believes the number of toys collected can be contributed to the amount of organizations that were involved this year.
"A lot of organizations rely on Toys for Tots and the last couple of years, just because of the pandemic, what we have gotten from them has been a lot lower," he said. "So a lot of families are kind of left out there, especially with the inflation and just all of those things, and especially in a community like ours, the need is even higher."
The event will run from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
The Gordon Heights Fire Department is located at 3 Hawkins Ave., Gordon Heights.
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