Bay Ridge AARP donates toys to local Salvation Army

Why should Santa get to have all the fun?

On Friday, December 16, Peter Killen and Howard Dunn from theBay Ridge chapter of AARP dropped off three large bags of toys forneedy families to the Salvation Army on 86th Street. The pair alsobrought along a check for the organization for $100.

We feel it’s one of the better organizations dealing withfamilies in need, said Killen, who is president of the Bay RidgeAARP. It’s our way of saying ‘we can help.’

Salvation Army Corps Officer Fran Rader was on hand to receivethe donation. She is touched that the local AARP is continuing itstradition of contributing for Christmas.

They’ve helped us with toys every single year for many years,Rader said, which I appreciate, because there are more familiesthan ever this year.

She says that their facility is serving over 200 families thisholiday season.

Also on hand to receive the donation was Facility Manager TomBreen, himself a member of the Bay Ridge chapter of AARP.

We’re very grateful that this group comes by every year, Breensaid. I know most of the guys there and I’m happy to see them walkthrough the door.

For Killen and his fellow members, it’s a way of giving back toa community that has given them a wonderful life.

We’re all seniors, he said. We’re not working anymore. We’vehad a good life. We have a good life and we can share.