Albany, NY - December 29, 2017 - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the results of holiday toy donations and distributions that took place across the state from November 27 - December 22, 2017. Members of the Governor's administration participated in volunteer events held at 23 organizations statewide to distribute more than 5,200 toys, coats and school supplies to communities in need. 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, also participated in collecting and sorting donations.
"New Yorkers have a proud tradition of helping those in need, and during the holiday season, businesses and organizations continued this legacy by distributing toys, coats, and school supplies to thousands of deserving children across the state," Governor Cuomo said. "I thank everyone who donated their time and supplies to this effort, and hope these acts of generosity and goodwill continue throughout the New Year."
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.
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 The Americans; Bull; Deception; The Good Cop; Madam Secretary; Pose; Untitled Ramy Youssef Project; Succession; and Sesame Street.
In addition, members of the Producers Guild of America 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:
Some of the participating organizations that made donations included: the Producers Guild of America, Amazing Savings, and the China General Chamber of Commerce in New York City.
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 5,200 items to distribution locations across New York.
Film Good / Do Good is 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, which focuses on using volunteerism to combat poverty. It is funded in part by a grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service in Washington. The program taps the power of New York's booming, multi-billion-dollar production industry to make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate. The presence of the entertainment industry at volunteer sites inspires other New Yorkers to donate their time and talent to the anti-poverty cause.