They made the nice list!
Homeless children on Long Island got some much needed Christmas cheer Wednesday at the ultimate toy giveaway, thanks to Republican gubernatorial hopeful Bruce Blakeman and other generous do-gooders.
At the kid’s dream-fest, nearly 100 needy Hempstead youngsters were set loose in Matty’s Toy Shop in Rockville Centre to clear the shelves in a thrilling, “Supermarket Sweep”-style shopping spree.
Asked how much fun she was having on a scale from one to 10, 5-year-old Selena grinned and replied, “50 million.”
Others squealed with delight as they grabbed everything from remote-control cars to Lite Brites and put them in their shopping bags.
The youngsters, who ranged in age from toddlers to teens, were given vouchers for up to $100, thanks to a $10,000 donation from the law firm Sullivan-Papin.
“When these kids come in, and you see the excitement, them running around the store, picking out toys — money can’t match that— this is Christmas,” said lawyer Bob Sullivan, of the firm.
The giveaway was the brainchild of Blakeman, the Nassau County executive, and Hempstead Village Mayor Waylyn Hobbs along with Nassau police, who all helped set up the event.
“We’re here on Christmas Eve to make sure that all of these young people here today get a gift so that they have a happy and a Merry Christmas — because we want all our children in Nassau County to be happy, especially today,” Blakeman told reporters.
“We love the children in Nassau County. You’re the future of America, and the future is very bright because of you,” he said.
Most of the kids were identified through their school districts or because they were living in homeless shelters.
“It helps out a lot, especially with the economy now,” said mom Tiffany Jackson, who’s son MJ was excited to score the Christmas goodies.
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