Long Island, NY - December 21, 2018 - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today visited Buffalo and Long Island where he helped deliver nearly 1,000 toys, coats and school supplies donated to New Yorkers in need. The Governor also deployed members of his cabinet to help deliver holiday donations to communities statewide this week. In total, over 3,800 holiday toys, coats and school supply donations were distributed across the state from November 26 to December 14. Volunteers from Film Good / Do Good, a joint partnership between the Governor's Office of Motion Picture and Television Development and the New York State Commission on National and Community Service, participated in collecting and sorting donations.
"New Yorkers are always willing to lend a helping hand to those who need it most, and I hope today's donations bring holiday cheer to children who may not otherwise have received gifts due to financial circumstances," Governor Cuomo said. "Giving back to our communities makes the holidays all the sweeter, and I urge New Yorkers to remember what we are personally thankful for. I thank those who donated and volunteered to deliver these gifts and wish everyone a happy holiday from my family to the New York family and beyond."
"The holiday season is a time to be thankful for what you have, and give to those who have less," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, who attended today's toy distribution event in Buffalo. "The thousands of toys and supplies given to children across the state helps children and families in need, and helps to make their holidays brighter. Even after the holiday season is over, we must continue to help others who are less fortunate."
A number of state agencies and organizations collected new unwrapped toys, coats and school supplies that were provided by businesses and individuals and brought to drop-off locations across the state. Donations were also collected by organizations at holiday gatherings ahead of the distribution events. The New York State Office of General Services, Department of Transportation and Division of Military and Naval Affairs, with support from other agencies, delivered the more than 3,800 items to distribution locations across New York.
Film Good / Do Good, the first and only state government-organized community give back program in the nation, also participated in this year's holiday toy drive. A number of New York-based TV Series placed drop-off boxes on soundstages to collect donations, including Billions, Godfather of Harlem, Modern Love, Instinct, Jessica Jones, Bull, Sweetbitter, God Friended Me, Sesame Street, Orange is the New Black, Madame Secretary and Tales from the City, and the feature film The Joker.
In addition, coats and toys were also donated by the Producers Guild of America, who volunteered to sort through donations that were collected at drop-off locations around the state. The Film Good / Do Good program is tailored specifically to the film and television industry and encourages cast and crewmembers to volunteer at non-profit organizations that are fighting hunger, homelessness and other root causes of poverty in some of the state's neediest neighborhoods.
The total number of toys, coats and school supplies distributed in each region include:
Film Good/Do Good is the first and only state government-organized community giveback program in the nation that is tailored specifically to the film and television industry. This partnership between the Governor's Office for Motion Picture and Television Development and the New York State Commission on National and Community Service encourages and formalizes opportunities for film and television productions to offer hands-on volunteer service to nonprofit organizations in communities in which they film, and amplifies the benefit productions bring to New York State beyond the economic footprint.