Children of Bronx military families in need to receive toys donated to annual toy drive

Santa and Mrs. Claus to help distribute toys to children

Friday, December 20, 2013

Bronx, NY – Dec. 18, 2013 – On Friday, December 20, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. will join Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo to distribute toys to local Bronx military families in need of support this holiday season.

This event has become an annual tradition in the Bronx. The New York National Guard will participate again this year, helping to distribute toys collected by WCS’s Bronx Zoo in partnership with the Borough President’s annual holiday toy drive.

As a holiday treat for those in attendance, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be on hand for photo opportunities and to help give away the toys.

Who:  Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
John Calvelli, WCS Executive Vice President of Public Affairs
Active members of the New York National Guard
Local Bronx military veterans and families
Santa and Mrs. Claus 

What:  Distribution of toys donated
to Bronx Borough President’s annual holiday toy drive

Where: Dancing Crane Café
 WCS’s Bronx Zoo
 2300 Southern Blvd.
 Bronx, NY

When: Friday, December 20, 2013
12:00 – 3:00 pm

The partnership between the Bronx Zoo and the Borough President is in its fifth year. The Bronx Zoo serves as a collection point for new, unwrapped toys donated by members of the community for distribution to families of veterans and active duty members of the military.
MEDIA NOTE(S): Media who wish to attend the event should contact Max Pulsinelli 718-220-5182 or Steve Fairchild 718-220-5189 so that parking and in-park transportation can be arranged.

CONTACT:
Max Pulsinelli: (o) 718-220-5182 (m) 571-218-7601; mpulsinelli@wcs.org
Steve Fairchild: (o) 718-220-5189 (m) 914-263-8179; sfairchild@wcs.org

The Wildlife Conservation Society saves wildlife and wild places worldwide. We do so through science, global conservation, education and the management of the world's largest system of urban wildlife parks, led by the flagship Bronx Zoo. Together these activities change attitudes towards nature and help people imagine wildlife and humans living in harmony. WCS is committed to this mission because it is essential to the integrity of life on Earth. www.wcs.org.

Special Note to the Media: If you would like to guide your readers or viewers to a web link where they can support these projects, please direct them to: www.wcs.org/donation.