UFOA and UFA Conduct Toy Drive for Katrina Kids

August 14, 2008 – August 29, 2008, marks the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, which had devastating effects on the nation’s Gulf Coast. Many families still have not recovered financially and are unable to buy Christmas presents for their children, but there is hope. Once again, active and retired members of the Uniformed Fire Officers Association (UFOA) of New York Local 854 and the Uniformed Firefighters Association (UFA) of Greater New York Local 94 will conduct its Katrina Toy Drive.

Last year, fire fighters delivered 12,000 gifts in seven trucks to two areas of Mississippi. “We have to do the best we can for these kids because many of them would not get any toys without our efforts,” says Tom O’Connor, retired Local 854 member and toy drive organizer. “We are hoping to be able to fill eight trucks and deliver to four locations – three in Mississippi and one in Alabama.”

Because the cost of fuel has nearly doubled since last year, toy drive organizers are requesting both toy and monetary donations. To make a contribution, send checks payable to:

Stephen Siller Children’s Foundation / Katrina Fund
2361 Hylan Blvd.
Staten Island, NY 10306
Tax I.D.# 02-0554654

For more information or to coordinate a toy donation, contact Tom O’Connor at (516) 448-1671.

Connor and 23 other fire fighters will leave New York on December 9 and distribute the toys on December 13.

The Katrina Toy Drive evolved out of the Stephen Siller Foundation hurricane relief efforts in 2005. After the storm, Foundation Chairman Frank Siller, whose brother died on 9/11, reached out to other fire fighter families and formed the 9/11 Families for Katrina Relief. In October 2005, the families sent five trucks filled with basic supplies to Biloxi, Mississippi. Before the year’s end, they sent 16 more trucks, two of them full of toys.

Although the 9/11 Families for Katrina Relief has since dissolved, the toy drive has not. Seven trucks full of toys were down in 2006 and 2007.