Unwrapped toys appropriate for children up to eight years old can be dropped off at the toy and coat drive. Monetary donations are also being accepted to buy gifts and coats for those who need them.
Here’s the medical center’s release on the program:
Sound Shore Medical Center
Prepares for 19th Annual
Toy & Coat Drive
Sound Shore Medical Center of Westchester Toy & Coat Drive committee is hard at work preparing for the 19th annual event. The public is encouraged to donate new, unwrapped toys appropriate for children birth through eight years of age and/or make monetary donations.
NEW ROCHELLE – November 12, 2012 – Sound Shore Medical Center (SSMC) is preparing for its 19th Anniversary Toy & Coat Drive. And again SSMC is soliciting new, unwrapped toys for children birth to 8 years of age and/or monetary donations that will help with gifts and the purchase of new coats for qualifying individuals.
The public can drop off toy contributions in the main lobby anytime through Monday, December 3rd. Tax-deductible donations can be made to SSMC’s Foundation Toy & Coat Drive and mailed to 16 Guion Place, New Rochelle, NY 10802. Credit card donations are welcome and can be made by calling 914.365.4626 or online at www.ssmc.org/makeagift.
Nineteen years ago, a grateful patient wanted to give back in a meaningful way. So, Kathy Curto and her husband, Joseph started this gift of caring in appreciation for the expert care and monitoring she received during a high-risk pregnancy. And with the help of co-founder, Patricia A. Devine, MD, Chief of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Co-Chair of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Sound Shore Medical Center’s Annual Coat & Toy Drive was born.
The first year, 60 children were recipients of an age-appropriate toy. And, now 19 years later many of the original families are still benefiting from this act of caring – with some of the first recipients now helping with the event. From the Pediatric Outpatient Holiday Party, where more than 1,200 children received age and gender-appropriate gifts to donations for the purchase of new winter coats, the caring has grown. The Curtos and Dr. Devine along with generous volunteers – from many organizations in three counties - now make a big difference for hundreds of families.
In addition to coats and toys, the Drive – with the help of Steiner Foods in New Rochelle and Yonkers Tennis Center – also provides canned goods and non-perishables. Over 300 qualified families will receive a large selection of high-quality products through this year’s efforts.
John R. Spicer, President and CEO of Sound Shore Medical Center commented, “The Toy & Coat Drive provides an incredible and needed service to people in our community.” He continued, “It is a genuine demonstration of the true spirit of the holiday season – bringing joy to those in need.”
Share the spirit of the holiday season – contribute a new toy or make a donation to help purchase new winter coats for Pediatric Outpatient families in need. For more information, call the hot line at 914-365-4567 or
e-mail ssmctoysandcoats@aol.com. Donations are tax deductible and checks should be made payable to SSMC Foundation Toy & Coat Drive and mailed to 16 Guion Place, New Rochelle, NY 10802. For online donations, use www.ssmc.org/makeagift.
For physician referrals, call MDs-LINE (914.367.5463) or visit www.ssmc.org to discover more about Sound Shore Medical Center’s award winning services and Centers of Excellence.
