A Holidays Gift Drive with a "Heart"

All that Amazing Afternoons wants is to provide an amazing holiday season for hundreds of Mount Vernon children.

On Friday, Dec. 10, the Mount Vernon-based after-school program run by Westchester Jewish Community Services (WJCS) met at the home of Scarsdale resident and board member Linda Plattus for the Have-a-Heart Holidays Gift Drive.

The event featured a luncheon and a collection of donated toys, cards and gift certificates, which will benefit the Edward Williams Elementary School in Mount Vernon. This year, Platus's gathering, which has been held for six consecutive years, amassed more than 120 toys and $1,600 in gift certificates.  

"Our children feel so good that people care enough about them to give them gifts," said Amazing Afternoons Director Mary Figueroa. "For many of them, these toys are the only gifts they will get for the holidays." 

WJCS collects toys, new clothes and other donations throughout the year. To donate items or money, contact Meryl Lewis at 914-761-0600 ext. 222.  For more information about WJCS, visit www.wjcs.com.