It’s A Wonderful Life….
For Children of Disabled American Veterans and
Children of Military Stationed or Deployed from Stewart Air Force Base
Orange County Executive, Steve Neuhaus came to me over 10 years ago to share a story of a train ride he had gone on to meet our Military along the County route and discovered children who barely had anything warm on in the midst of winter. At that moment we both said, if they do not have the ability to buy warm coats, we were sure that there would be nary a Christmas gift under the tree. From this conversation the Annual WTBQ Toys for Military Tots Drive was born. It began with one small cardboard box and an amazing couple, Pete and Laura Rollins, who are themselves disabled American Veterans who work tirelessly each day to assist disabled American Veterans in all ways…always… The following year I met a woman who headed up communications at Stewart Air Force Base and discovered it was the same for families who were struggling while serving for our Country. These brave Americans have tough choices to make. That was the first year we decided to divide the toys each year with both organizations. MSgt Gisela Fredenburg led the Stewart Air Force this toy drive along with a strong message defining the word “community!” When the residents, business owners, and elected officials were made aware that this toy drive was strictly local (Orange County only) they were all in and many offered to be drop off locations. I also chose to speak with the students and I then visited with local schools, starting at the Park Avenue and Sanfordville Elementary schools, as well as the Middle school and high school. Supervisor Tony Cardone of Monroe did the same at Monroe-Woodbury School and the result was a school bus filled to the top with over 1000 toys! Teach the children, they are hungry for knowledge and discovering that there are children who may not have a toy for Christmas sent them all on a mission. Their teachers, Amy Buliung and Theresa Canfield, Joanna Maraia, Mark Botta, Lauren Hughes and many more were the catalysts who propelled these young minds to achieve a momentous task with the end result being one thing….knowing that those children would wake up Christmas morning to gifts from Santa. Our partner since the beginning, John “Cheech” Richichi, President of the Nam Knights of Orange County and his entire Chapter arrived with a truck filled with toys that barely fit in the parking lot! The station this past Monday morning included Orange County Executive, Steve Neuhaus, Commissioner of Emergency Services, Pete Cirigliano, Orange County Sheriff, Paul Arteta, Orange County Clerk, Kelly Eskew, Supervisor of Monroe, Tony Cardone, Supervisor of Warwick, Jesse Dwyer, John Douthit, President of John S. Burke Catholic, Susan Dean of McKesson, Anquinette Hayles of Greystone Programs and many more. If you or your business would like to take part in the annual drive please email Taylor@wtbq.com. As I always say, it’s good for your heart and great for your soul. Thank you to all who donated and participated. It is what Americans are all about…helping one another. God Bless us one and all!
