[SHEEPSHEAD BAY] Child’s play! Local kids contribute to toy drive

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By Julianne Cuba

Brooklyn Daily

It’s a beloved holiday tradition!

More than 300 people packed into the PS 52 auditorium on Dec. 12 for the neighborhood’s 25th Annual Toy Drive, hosted by the Bay Improvement Group and local pols. The school’s choir sang holiday songs, and the only ticket to get in was an unwrapped toy, which the group donated to local children in need. Many of the donors were kids themselves, and the extra-special show of charity just might have made this year the best drive yet, according to the vice-president of the Bay Improvement Group.

“We’re doing this 25 years, and I think it was the best one. It hits your heart a little more when there are kids and they are giving to other kids. I have to tip my hat to our Sheepshead Bay community,” said Jack Spadaro.

The school’s fourth- and fifth-graders sang their hearts out, and the student-band from IS 206 provided the musical accompaniment. The performance was beautiful and lifted everyone’s spirits, said the school’s parent coordinator.

“They sounded fantastic. Everyone had a really good time and the kids sounded great. It was a very nice night,” said Barbara Warner.

Sheepshead Bay native singer-songwriter Robert Santa (no relation to Mr. Claus) provided even more holiday cheer on stage, said Spadaro.

The Bay Improvement Group delivered the hundreds of collected toys to boys and girls at Coney Island Hospital and a local shelter — and there’s no better gift during the holidays than to see children happy, said Spadaro.

“It was great to be a part of it and bring these toys to these needy kids,” he said. “That is the spirit of the holiday season.”

Councilman Chaim Deutsch (D–Sheepshead Bay) and Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein (D–Sheepsehad Bay) also helped sponsor the event.

Reach reporter Julianne Cuba at (718) 260–4577 or by e-mail at jcuba@cnglocal.com. Follow her on Twitter @julcuba.

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[SHEEPSHEAD BAY] Child’s play! Local kids contribute to toy drive : Brooklyn Daily