In 2012 the Troopers Memorial Fund began its annual toy and gift card contribution to hospitalized children at Good Samaritan Hospital in W. Islip, NY and St. Charles Hospital in Port Jefferson, NY. During the 2015 Holiday season we added SUNY Stony Brook Children’s Hospital to our list. We have been welcomed at all facilities and look forward to continuing our efforts every year in hopes of putting a smile on a sick child’s face and their family during the holiday period. Shown above are Trooper Frank Santini (TMF Trustee), Trooper Frank Bandiero (Troop L Public Information Officer), Senior Investigator Tom Hughes (TMF Secretary/Treasurer), Retired Senior Investigator Dan Regini (TMF President), Kate Fenton and Nancy Kennedy from Good Sam. Hospital Child Life Dept. and a little girl and her family at Good Sam. accepting our donation.
In 2015 Tpr. Pete Nunziata (Troop L PBA Delegate) was able to get Mr. and Mrs. Claus and Mr. Mark Glickman (Troop L Communications Specialist) to lend a hand in distributing the gifts……thanks to all, especially Santa!
In 2016 Santa, his lovely bride and a little helper from the North pole continued helping us greet and distribute toys to hospitalized children at Good Samaritan Hospital in West Islip, NY. Now retired Sr. Inv. Tom Hughes made his way from warmer climates to join Trooper Brian Poulos and assist.
During the 2017 Holiday Season, our efforts to brighten the day of hospitalized children at Good Sam Hospital and SUNY Stony Brook Children’s Hospital continued. Retiring Troop L Public Info Officer Trooper Frank Bandiero joined us along with Troop L PBA Delegate Trooper Pete Nunziata who was again able to get our REAL Santa to take time out from his busy schedule to greet the kids along with Good Sam Hospital Staff.
2017 also brought the Troopers Memorial Fund together with the NYSP Emerald Society in distributing toys to other children
2018 was our 7th year of distributing some joy to hospitalized children at Good Samaritan Hospital in W. Islip, NY.
Trooper Peter Nunziata (Troop L PBA Delegate), Trooper William Knapp, and Trooper Daniel Ahlgrim (Troop L Public Information Officer), joined Dan Regini (Troopers Memorial Fund President) and Good Sam Hospital Pediatric Unit Staff in helping that jolly old guy Santa bring some smiles to the unit.
Our efforts to bring a cheer during the holidays to hospitalized children continued in 2019 with a visit with Santa to the newly opened Children’s Hospital on the campus of SUNY Stony Brook. Joining us were uniformed members Trooper Pete Nunziata, TMF Trustee and Troop L PBA Delegate and Trooper William Knapp.
For several Christmas Seasons during the pandemic we were been unable to bring our famous Santa to visit the hospitalized children. Nevertheless, the Troopers Memorial Fund provided several hospitals with gift cards so their staff can distribute them to the kids in an effort to bring some Holiday cheer during their recovery.
Our in-person visits with Santa began again during the 2022 Holiday Season. Troopers Memorial Fund Trustees along with help from Troop L members delivered gift cards to children at SUNY Stony Brook Children’s Hospital and Good Samaritan Hospital in W. Islip, NY. The great staffs at each facility along with the children and their families welcomed us back with open arms!
Our 12th Annual Christmas toy drive continued in 2023 with Santa’s twin brother…for real…bringing gifts and some cheer to the kids, their parents and hospital staffs at SUNY Stony Brook Children’s Hospital and Good Samaritan Hosp. pediatric unit.
Continued thanks to all our loyal supporters throughout the year for helping our Fund further our mission at various events to “Never Forget” those we honor and at the same time, support our communities !