Toys for Tots Nets Big Catch for Kids

By Cynthia Finn, Suffolk Chapter Treasurer

The Suffolk Chapter’s Young CPAs Committee’s Tenth Annual Toys for Tots Holiday Toy Drive was another overwhelming success, thanks to the tremendous generosity demonstrated by all who participated.

Representatives of the U.S. Marine Corps collected more than 3,500 toys at the office of Sheehan & Company, CPA, PC, on Dec. 10. Our members and friends once again opened their hearts to Long Island’s needy children.

More than 40 firms and local businesses served as drop-off locations this year, including, once again, State Bank of Long Island, with collection points at its main office and 12 branches. The First National Bank of Long Island also maintained 21 drop-off boxes for the program.

Special thanks go to our secretary, Lisa Martinelli, and Lori Keller for all of their assistance in coordinating our efforts with the banks, and to Paul Becht and Harold Deiters, our Young CPAs Committee liaison and chairperson, respectively, who again helped immensely with the toy drive.

The U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots program distributes more than 11 million toys to over 5 million children every year. Local business leaders play a key role by allowing Marines to locate collection receptacles in their stores and offices; by providing free vehicles and warehouse space to collect and store toys from collection sites; and by sponsoring toy collection events.

The number of toys our chapter collected made a big impression on the Marines, who noted that our collection, was the largest contribution from a single organization. This is not the first time we have assembled the biggest toy collection, and we should all be extremely proud of this accomplishment. All of our hard work allowed more than 1,500 children to receive a gift in this past holiday season.

The Young CPAs Committee extends its sincere appreciation to the following firms and businesses and their employees for helping to make a difference this holiday season for underprivileged children on Long Island:

Best wishes for a successful busy season!

Cynthia Finn has organized the Toys for Tots program for the Suffolk Chapter since 1994.