The Most Reverend Robert J. Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn helps parents shop for Christmas gifts for their children with Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens during Santa’s Toy Shop, an annual toy distribution held at Our Lady of Mount Carmen in Queens, NY on Thursday, December 22, 2022. Photos courtesy
Over 2,000 Children Served Before the Christmas Holiday
The Most Reverend Robert J. Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, joined Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens on Thursday, December 22, to distribute donated toys to families in need during Santa’s Toy Shop at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Church, located in the Astoria section of Queens.
Now in its 12th year, Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens served over 2,000 area children in families facing hardships in this time of crisis and rising inflation. At each of Santa’s Toy Shops, Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens uses a model that gives parents the dignity to pick and choose age-appropriate gifts for their children; gift cards and food vouchers were also provided.
“Today is a special treat being here among all the volunteers and staff of Catholic Charities of Brooklyn and Queens, who are meeting people in a time of need with such joy. What’s happening here today, and has been over the last couple of weeks, reflects the generosity of people from all over Brooklyn and Queens. It is through the efforts of Catholic Charities that these donations have been passed along with dignity to these families who have turned to the Church for assistance this Christmas,” said Bishop Robert Brennan. Bishop Brennan also helped parents “shop for Christmas gifts” for their children.
Volunteers from the Carpenters Union, DeSales Media, and other community volunteers handed out the presents at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Church, Astoria, Queens and St. Vincent Ferrer Roman Catholic Church, Flatbush, Brooklyn. Staff and volunteers helped sort the gifts days before the distribution.
The gift cards were purchased using donations to the agency through an annual fundraising event held in November at Russo’s On The Bay. This year, $97,000 was raised at An Evening of Jazz & Cocktails.
From left to right: Richard Slizeski, Senior Vice President for Mission, Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens; Reverend Monsignor Cuong M. Pham, Pastor, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Church; Debbie Hampson, Senior Director Community Outreach Services with Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens; The Most Reverend Robert J. Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn; and Reverend Monsignor Alfred P. LoPinto, President and Chief Executive Officer, Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens.
Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens served over 2,000 children during three toy distributions. Over 1,300 children were served on December 17 and 18 at St. Vincent Ferrer Roman Catholic Church in Flatbush, Brooklyn and an additional 700 children were served on December 22 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Astoria, Queens.
