Bayside's Valentines For Vets Drive Sets 24-Year Donation Record

BAYSIDE, QUEENS — The Bayside community's 24th annual Valentines for Vets gift drive set a new record for the number of donations received, according to Assembly Member Ed Braunstein's office, which co-sponsored the drive.

Braunstein, Queens Community Board 11 and the Law Offices of Ann-Margaret Carrozza collected thousands of donations of handwritten cards, candy, clothing, playing cards, puzzles and toiletries as part of the gift drive, a spokesperson for Braunstein announced Tuesday.

Thirty schools across northeast Queens and local civic organizations, libraries, Girl Scout troops and residents pitched in to help the hospitalized veterans at the St. Albans VA Community Living Center and the New York State Veterans’ Home at St. Albans.

Braunstein and his staff were joined by students and faculty from Benjamin N. Cardozo High School to deliver the gifts on Valentine's Day.

"These donations, which were the most received in the 24-year history of our community’s Valentines for Vets program, helped to brighten the day of hundreds of veterans by showing that we care about them and appreciate their sacrifices," Braunstein said.