Folks, if you are wanting to reach out to low-income kids in our neighborhood, here’s your chance.
City Councilman Stephen Levin, who covers Boerum Hill, Brooklyn Heights, Dumbo and around, is hosting a toy drive for children ages 1 to 12 living at Gowanus Houses in Boerum Hill, the 14-building complex between Wyckoff, Douglass, Bond and Hoyt. And PS 29 elementary school is holding a toy drive for kids in Red Hook, including the projects there, and for kids and new immigrants served by the Warren Street Center for Children and Families.
Levin’s goal is to collect 115 presents; he has 25 so far.
The federally-subsidized Gowanus Houses is home 2,800 residents. It’s an economically-strained community and most of the children in the development are from low-income and at-risk households, and may not get presents this year.
It’s been a rough year at Gowanus Houses–you may remember there were three shootings at the houses in May, including a 16 year old girl who was killed by someone she knew. There was a big drug bust there in October. Children get caught in the mix.
The gift drive is looking for new, unwrapped toys. Bring donations to Levin’s district office at 410 Atlantic Ave. at Bond St., from Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you have any questions, contact Ivan Acosta at 718-875-5200 or by email at iacosta@council.nyc.gov.
Levin’s office is working with Gowanus Neighborhood Association on this. Extra toys will be donated to other community centers at New York City Housing Authority apartment complexes.
Meanwhile, PS 29 is conducting a toy drive for kids up to age 17. Your donation is tax deductible and a receipt documenting your donation can be provided upon request. Toys will go to the Warren Street Center for Children and Families, located in the Cobble Hill/Gowanus neighborhood. Each year, the center serves 150 low-income and immigrant children and their families.
Gifts will also go to The Red Hook Community Service Center, which provides an array of services to children and adults living in the Red Hook neighborhood, including training, counseling and job placement.
Gifts for older kids — backpacks, hoodies, hats, gloves, scarves and, especially, gift cards — are encouraged.
Please drop off toys in the PS 29 main office by Dec. 20.
PS 29 is located at 425 Henry Street, at Kane and Baltic.
Let’s do this people! Spread the joy.
