Councilman Teams with Toys for Tots to Benefit 'Heather on Earth'

The story was posted by Andrew Coen. It was written by Mike Deery from the Town of Hempstead. 

When Hempstead Town Councilman Gary Hudes, R-Levittown heard about a special toy drive coordinated by Jonas E. Salk Middle School Teacher Patricia Block and her sixth- and seventh-grade classes, he knew exactly who to call -- Major Chuck Kilbride of the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots Program.             

Block and her Salk Middle School students, in partnership with Allison Sellars and MacArthur High School’s ninth grade Mixed Chorus, are collecting toys in support of the Heather on Earth Music Therapy Program at the New York-Presbyterian Columbia University Medical Center’s Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital in Upper Manhattan.

The donated toys are to be delivered for distribution to sick children during the hospital’s Cinco De Mayo patient party in May. The toys will also be given to other local children’s hospitals.   

Hudes, an honorary vice chairman of the Toys for Tots program, was more than happy to lend a hand.

“Patricia Block, Allison Sellars and their students are to be commended for supporting such a wonderful cause that helps sick children during difficult times,” Hudes said. “I was confident that Major Chuck Kilbride and U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots would be able to provide a major boost to their efforts. They came through in a big way.”            

The contribution from Toys for Tots was so large, the Marines needed to bring a truck to deliver it. As soon as Kilbride received word of an incoming shipment of toy keyboards and guitars, he called Ms. Block right away.

“I told the school office that I needed to speak with Ms. Block right away,” Kilbride said. “There was no time to spare. A truckload of toys was on its way and I did not want to turn it away.”             

Shortly after, Kilbride and a team of Marines pulled up to Salk Middle School with a truck full of boxes containing toy keyboards and guitars. Hudes joined Ms. Block’s students to form an assembly line with the Marines to unload hundreds of toys.            

“It truly was a whirlwind of support  . . . and toys,” Block said. “I cannot thank Councilman Gary Hudes enough for getting the Toys for Tots program to support our special cause.”             

Heather on Earth is a nonprofit organization and the first of its kind created solely to provide funding for the implementation and subsequent ongoing support of music therapy programs in children’s hospitals in America and abroad. The organization was founded by Ms. Block’s late friend, Geri Fessler. Geri founded the organization in honor of her daughter, Heather, who passed away in 1985. The Heather on Earth Foundation’s legacy is being carried on by the daughters of Geri Fessler. For more information on the organization, visit heatheronearth.org.            

“I thank Major Kilbride and Toys for Tots, as well as the dedicated students at Jonas E. Salk Middle School and MacArthur High School for their efforts in helping sick children at local hospitals,” Hudes said. “The delivery of toys was a symbol of teamwork at its finest. I was honored to be part of such a nice program.”