Long Beach gets grant for vets; Islip collecting toys for U.S. Marine Corps

LONG BEACH
Long Beach has received an $8,529 state grant to provide services to veterans who live in the city.

The grant was provided by the state Office of General Services on behalf of the state Division of Veterans Affairs, according to documents filed at city hall.

The Long Beach City Council voted to allow City Manager Jack Schnirman to accept the grant on Wednesday night at its regular council meeting.

The $8,529 grant — which was designated by the state for “aid to localities” — will be used to “provide services to veterans,” city documents indicate.

The city will be able to use the money in the current 2013-14 budget year, city documents show. The current fiscal year began July 1 and runs until June 30.

The city has appropriated the money into its “veterans services” fund, according to city records. — PATRICK WHITTLE

Councilman John Cochrane, Jr. is working with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots programs to collect toys at three drop-off sites in the town.

The locations are: The town’s Youth Bureau at Town Hall West, 401 Main St., room 312, Islip; Cochrane’s office in Town Hall at 655 Main St., Islip; and the Disabled Services Office at Brookwood Hall, 50 Irish Ln., East Islip.

The new, unwrapped toys will be collected through Dec. 4. The toy drive is also accepting monetary donations at http://www.toysfortots.org.

“Considering tough economic times, more and more families have less to spend during the holiday season,” Cochrane said in a news release. “We are proud to support the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots Program, which greatly depends on the support and generosity of the local community and residents.” — Sophia Chang