TOYS FOR KATRINA CHILDREN 08

      The recent hurricane activity in the Gulf of Mexico has once again reinforced the need for assistance to that region. Hurricane Gustav caused an evacuation of the areas that were devastated by Hurricane Katrina three years ago. Hurricane Ike inflicted massive damage to the Texas coast and the devastation will amount in the billions. The coastal areas of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama are still in the midst of a 10 year rebuilding project dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

       In an attempt to assist the people of the gulf region, especially the children, we are once again going to attempt a toy drive this year. A group of retired and active members of the New York City fire Department working in conjunction with The Steven Siller Let Us Do Good Children’s Foundation are taking on the challenge to bring holiday cheer to the children of Hurricane Katrina.

       This year will be our biggest challenge in comparison to our past five trips. With the increase in fuel cost along with the volatile economy and unstable news from Wall Street we will have to over come many obstacles to meet our goals. We have set the bar high and are attempting to fill 8 trucks with new unwrapped toys, new books, and supplies to have a successful toy distribution at four different locations. The plan is for us to personally deliver the trucks to Jackson, Harrison, & Hancock Counties in Mississippi, as well as Bayou Labatre Alabama. We will also be visiting classrooms in all four locations in support of the Head Start Program. These events will take place from Tuesday, December 9 to Sunday, December14 and we will have 26 members taking part in our effort as well as various other volunteers.

       We are hopeful that we can meet or exceed our goals again this December just as we were able to do the past three holiday seasons. Every toy will be personally distributed to the children with anything left over going to The Toys for Tots Program in the area. All monies collected will be used to purchase toys and to cover the costs we incur.

Please make donation checks payable to:

Stephen Siller Children’s Foundation / Katrina Fund

2361 Hylan Blvd.

Staten Island, N.Y. 10306

Tax I.D.#02-0554654

Please make a difference by making a donation of a check or an unwrapped toy !

                                                    Thank You,

Tom O’Connor (Retired FDNY)-(516)448-1671

Jim Leonard ( Retired FDNY) –(516) 318-1917

                                                    Frank Siller-Chairman of the Steven Siller Foundation

                                                                         Office # - (718) 987-1931