Fidler, Local Dems Collect Lotsa Toys For Needy Kids

Mr. Met, City Councilman Lew Fidler and these youngsters are smiling because they collected over 1,000 toys that were distributed to needy children this holiday season.

The 41st A.D. Democrats Club and City Councilman Lew Fidler astounded even themselves last week when they more than tripled the amount of toys they collected at their recent annual toy drive.

"One thousand two hundred toys …last year we collected 402 toys and 79 the year before that," said Bryan Lee – toy drive organizer and Fidler’s Chief of Staff.

"The whole night felt like the last scene of It’s A Wonderful Life – the donations kept pouring in almost faster than we could collect them," continued Lee. Even the Marines – who nationally oversee the Toys for Tots program – had to call for back up. Gunnery Sgt. Cedric Belcher arrived at the Democratic Club early in the night with one of their standard oversized collection vans. Less than an hour later, he called back to the base for a second oversized van to be sent, and shortly after that for a third!

The 1,217 toys collected were part of the millions of toys the US Marines distributed to needy kids across the nation this holiday season. Belcher commented that the Club was truly one of the most impressive chapters throughout the City this year.

Joining Fidler and club members were Borough President Marty Markowitz, Assembly members Frank Seddio and Helene Weinstein, State senators John Sampson and Howard Golden, and Councilman Dominic Recchia. Perhaps the most popular guest was Mr. Met, the official mascot for the New York Mets, who took part for the second year in a row.

In addition to the toys collected from club members and area individuals, donations were made by a wide array of community organizations and local merchants. Organizations that donated huge boxes and bags of toys included the 69th Police Precinct Community Council, the Hebrew Educational Society, the Friends United Block Association, and Rev. Nate William’s Canarsie congregation. Also making generous donations were the Ave. L Merchants Association, Bergen Beach Youth Organization, Informed Voices Civic, United Canarsie South, and the respective civic associations of South Canarsie, Bergen Beach, Mill Basin, Glendale, Marine Park and Georgetown.

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