Bronx, NY – On Saturday, December 16th, 2023, Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson, and officials from the Bronx Zoo joined Roadway Moving, the Transport Workers NY-NJ State Conference, the Borough President’s Veterans Advisory Council, the NYC Department of Veterans’ Services, the New York State Department of Veterans’ Services, Lehman College, Cricket Wireless, and Heart to Heart at the Bronx Zoo to distribute over 200 toys to local children of Bronx military families in need at the Dancing Crane Pavilion.
Spanning two Borough President administrations and now in its 15th year, this event has become a tradition in the Bronx. The partnership between the Bronx Zoo and Borough President Gibson continues to honor community members who have served their country but find it challenging to make ends meet during the holiday season.
“Our veterans and their families have sacrificed so much for us and now it is time for us to give back to them,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “I want to thank the Bronx Zoo, Roadway Moving, the Transport Workers NY-NJ State Conference, our Veterans Advisory Council, the NYC Department of Veterans’ Services, the New York State Department of Veterans’ Services, Lehman College, Cricket Wireless, and Heart to Heart for their partnership to ensure the families of our men and women in the armed forces have a joyous holiday season.”
“One of our most important roles as the Bronx Zoo is being a supportive neighbor in the community. We are honored to be a part of Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson’s efforts to give back to veterans and their families during this holiday season. From all of us here at the Bronx Zoo and WCS at large, we are forever grateful to veterans for their service to our country,” said John F. Calvelli, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs at the Wildlife Conservation Society.
In addition to the Veterans’ Toy Giveaway, Borough President Gibson joined Senator Gillibrand on International Day of People with Disabilities to advocate for federal funding for veterans in the FY`24 Spending Bill, to bring attention and awareness to the issues impacting veterans living with disabilities, and to name Luis Soltero-Rodriguez as the new Chair of the Borough President’s Veterans Advisory Council. The Borough President also co-sponsored a resolution with Council Member Eric Dinowitz that passed in the City Council proclaiming November as Veterans Appreciation Month, which highlights the contributions of veterans to our city and creates opportunities for civic engagement across New York City`s institutions.