Press Release
December 14, 2006

Media Contact: Lisa M. Becker
718-281-8546
LBecker@stmaryskids.org

Friends, Neighbors and Businesses Deliver Toys, Songs and Cheer to St. Mary’s For the Holidays

Bayside, NY – The holiday season has been in full swing since the first of December. Almost daily, children in the St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children’s inpatient, outpatient and homecare programs have been treated to visits from carolers, some of their favorite characters like Elmo and Sponge Bob, and, of course, Santa.

JetBlue Pilots, as part of Pilots for Kids, delivered toys and good cheer to St. Mary’s patients, like Lexi (pictured), on December 1, 2006. Pilots For Kids is an international organization dedicated to helping hospitalized children. Founded in 1983 by airline crewmembers, the non-profit organization's primary activity is visiting children's hospitals in uniform and bringing toys and other needed items to each child.

Kevin and his nurse Lydia were just two of the nearly 900 people who celebrated the holidays at St. Mary’s Homecare Party at Leonard’s of Great Neck on December 5, 2006. This annual event was sponsored by The Semantics, a social and benevolent organization founded by a group of businessmen from the JFK Airport community and who do good work in the New York Metropolitan area. The festivities ended with every child, including the siblings of patients, receiving a gift from Santa. The party was also supported by Bestcare Inc.; Personal Touch Home Care; Town Total Health; Unlimited Care, Inc.; and Utopia Home Care, Inc.

Mohammed and Lillian Bossio, long time volunteer and supporter, at her annual Holiday Party also held at Leonard’s of Great Neck on December 5, 2006. Children from St. Mary’s inpatient facility, Lillian’s friends and family, and Bossio, Ross & Associates colleagues attended.

Dennis went shopping for gifts to give to his family, thanks to The Semantics who donated the merchandise and set up shop in St. Mary’s Children’s Activity Center on December 6, 2006.

Santa arrived at St. Mary’s on motorcycle on December 10, 2006. He was escorted by nearly 100 members of the Hogs and Heifers who brought piles of toys to distribute to the children and a donation in excess of $15,000.

The Cardinale family has decorated their house on 32nd Avenue in Bayside again this year. All donations from passer-bys will be given to St. Mary’s. Last year, they raised more than $6,000.

Santa arrived at St. Mary's Rehabilitation Center for Children (Ossining, NY) via a police escort from members of the Westchester Police Columbia Society on Sunday, December 17, 2006. Toys were delivered to the 44 patients at this facility, including Vivian (pictured).

Kleen All Plus treated the kids at St. Mary’s to performances from magicians, jugglers and clowns on December 15, 2006. The children then had the chance to try their hands at some tricks and juggling of their own.

Members of Abu Bekr Court #74 visited St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children on December 16, 2006 bringing with them a $200 donation, toys and smiles.

Members of Hofstra University’s Special Education Graduate Association (S.E.G.A.) delivered toys and took a tour of St. Mary’s on December 16, 2006.

On December 17, 2007, the World Wide Heroes Organization and Friends, (l-r) Captain Obvious, Tothian, Squeegee Man and Dark Guardian, sang Christmas carols and spread toys and cheer throughout St. Mary’s.

UFCW Local 1500 representatives Bernadette Warren and Rhonda Nelson present a $2,000 check to Angela Sculti, St. Mary’s Foundation for Children’s Director, Corporate Relations and Special Projects, and Dantae.

Santa Claus descended from St. Mary’s roof on December 20, 2006 thanks to assistance from Fire Engine 320, Ladder 167, Engine 306 and Battalion 53 from Bayside and PC Richard and Son managers Joe Morone and John Pina. Once he was on the ground, he delivered joy and gifts to the children at St Mary’s.

Representatives from Helms Brothers, Bayside, NY, delivered toys to St. Mary’s on December 20, 2006.

Santa’s helpers came all the way from Great Neck South Middle School on December 21, 2006 bringing toys, Christmas carols and a magician with them.

Malaysia decorated her “ornament” when members of the Incarnation Church Youth Group visited on December 23, 2006 to deliver toys and make arts and crafts with the children at St. Mary’s.

Noharys (right) built a Gingerbread House with members of the Primiani Family during their visit on December 23, 2006.