Children’s Museum collecting birthday items for needy

The Long Island Children’s Museum is hosting a food drive from Saturday to Feb. 26 to help children whose parents struggle to afford a birthday party.

The Garden City museum will collect new birthday party items such as candles, cake mix and frosting, party hats, goody bags and balloons, said Tara Pallisco, development and communications assistant.

The museum partnered with Long Island Cares, the Harry Chapin Food Bank, to help gather birthday party items for families in need.

The event is part of the museum’s own birthday celebration.

“We are celebrating our 10th anniversary on museum row on Feb. 27 and we want to give back to the community that’s given so to us so much,” Pallisco said.

Donations can be left in a special box at the museum’s outer lobby.

Above, the exterior of the Long Island Children's Museum.