Carrozza Says Thousands of Gifts Donated to Veterans for Valentine's Day

State Assemblyman Edward Braunstein, D-Bayside, and former Assemblywoman Ann-Margaret Carrozza dropped off thousands of cards, clothing items and other gifts last week as part of a Valentine’s Day drive for veterans that the assemblywoman founded 16 years ago.

Carrozza said northeast Queens residents donated hand-written cards, candy, new clothing items, puzzles, playing cards and toiletries to her Valentines for Vets drive that she has been holding since 1996.

The former assemblywoman and Braunstein handed out the gifts last week to hospitalized men and women at the Community Living Center of the VA New York Harbor Healthcare System and the state’s veterans home, both of which are in St. Albans.

“We asked residents of northeast Queens to consider making a hospitalized veteran their Valentine this year and they answered that appeal by generously donating thousands of items for our hospitalized heroes,” Carrozza said.

Bayside doctor Robert Mittman, Fort Totten’s U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 12-08 and members of the Jefferson Democratic Club joined participants from 20 schools as well as civic and religious organizations, senior clubs and local residents to pass out the gifts.

Groups that participated in the drive include the Bay Terrace Jewish Center, Divine Wisdom Academy, P.S. 98 and students from a number of other schools in Bayside, Whitestone and Little Neck.