Long Beach Holiday Toy Drive Brightens Spirits Of Sick Children

LONG BEACH, NY — Hoping to make it a happy holiday season, BACH Jewish Center in Long Beach joined a toy drive for children at Mount Sinai South Nassau.

The drop-off came in response to the growing number of pediatric RSV cases in local hospitals during this holiday season.

The BACH’s Rabbi Benny Berlin joined Long Beach Police Department Commissioner Ronald Walsh and officers from the department to hand-deliver the toys and care packages to the hospital on December 22.

"We learn from our sages about Hanukkah being centered around spreading the light, and what better way than by helping sick children celebrate the holidays," Rabbi Berlin said.

The parcels included an assortment of over 150 gifts as well as swag bags with knick-knacks such as fidget spinners, toy cars and poppers. Also included were personalized cards from the BACH community members and their children with holiday wishes and colorful drawings and artwork to help bring holiday cheer.

"Kids need to know that the police department and faith-based communities care about them and we are trying to make their world a little bit brighter this holiday season," Walsh said.