Above photo by GIFTERPHOTOS, all other photos by David Heskiel
THE INCREDIBLE ORGANIZATION C.A.R.E. (COMMUNITY. ADVOCACY. RESOURCES. ENCOURAGEMENT.) HOSTED A TREMENDOUS HANUKKAH TOY GIVEAWAY FOR OVER 400 FAMILIES WITH SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN. THE EVENT WAS HOSTED BY TOYS 2 DISCOVER ON CONEY ISLAND AVENUE AND AVENUE K. THE BEAUTY OF THE EVENT WAS THAT TOYS WERE NOT ONLY GIVEN TO CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS BUT WERE ALSO GIVEN TO THEIR SIBLINGS ON THEIR BEHALF.
This created thankfulness to the special needs sibling for ensuring all their siblings received a special high-quality Hanukkah gift.
C.A.R.E. was founded by Meyer and Victoria Safdieh who led the toy giveaway event with dozens of volunteers. Also in attendance, to support this meaningful community event, were NYPD Clergy Liaison David Heskiel, NYPD Deputy Inspector Richie Taylor, Community Leader Linda Sedaka, and Flatbush Fund Executive Director Yitzy Weinberg.
A special acknowledgement to the following dedicated and respected elected officials who came to the event is deserved as well: Senator Simcha Felder, Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein and Councilman Kalman Yeger. Their leadership and tremendous support is invaluable.
Thanks to a few anonymous donors, the kids walked into the fully stocked toy store and were given vouchers which were used to purchase whatever toys they chose. To sweeten the night, each child received Hanukkah gelt chocolates on their way out.
May the Festival of Lights brighten up these dark, tough times and may everyone involved in this loving hesed be blessed to continue doing great things for the community.
Families that were unable to attend were not forgotten. They received toys at home, from generous congregants of Shaare Torah.
