Holiday Food and Toy Drives in Queens

Queens residents in the giving spirit this holiday season have numerous options for donating food, clothing or toys to borough residents in need.

Queens Community House will hold a holiday bazaar at 10 a.m. at its Forest Hills site, located at 108-25 62nd Drive, on Dec. 13. The event will also include a toy drive during which attendees can bring new, unwrapped toys for children, ages 7 to 11 years, in the nonprofit’s Pomonok after school program.

Forestdale, a child welfare organization, is attempting to raise $25,000 to complete its dental clinic. Those interested in donating can send a check payable to:

Forestdale, Inc.
67-35 112th St.
Forest Hills, NY 11375

State Assemblyman Edward Braunstein, D-Bayside, is holding two holiday drives.

Participants can donate unwrapped toys for needy and hospitalized children or a gift for a veteran. Suggested gifts for veterans include sugar-free candy, slippers, robes, pajamas, sweaters, socks and toiletries.

All items must be new and unwrapped. Drop off gifts by Dec. 18 at the assemblyman’s office, located at 213-33 39th Ave. For more information, call 718-357-3588.

Flushing’s P.S. 499 will donate food to the St. Michael’s Food Pantry on Dec. 17 at 12:45 p.m. Students will help carry in their grocery order to the pantry and learn how the items they are donating help the local community.

The event is being held in collaboration with online grocer Peapod.com’s Kids Give Back program. For more information, call 617-585-5760.

And St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children is holding a fundraising initiative through the end of the year with 30 local businesses to raise money for the Bayside hospital’s rehabilitative programs.

All money received through the initiative will go toward the intensive rehabilitation, specialized care and education programs at St. Mary’s. Check out Patch’s story on the initiative to find out which businesses are participating.