New Rochelle medical center celebrates 19th annualparty for pediatric outpatients

The Sound Shore Medical Center's annual Toy & Coat Drive culminated Dec. 10 with a party for more than 750 children who receive medical care through the hospital's Outpatient Pediatric Department.

The event featured refreshments, games, music and a photo opportunity with Santa, and each child who attended received a gift of a new toy, donated to the New Rochelle medical center by individuals, schools, sports teams and corporations.

The first outpatient holiday party was held 19 years ago, when only 60 children attended. Just as the party has grown, so has the scope of the toy drive to include donations of coats and a food collection for families in need.

This year, 750 new winter coats were distributed to qualifying families along with more than 300 bags of food products.

"The Toy & Coat Drive provides an incredible and needed service to people in our community," John R. Spicer, president and CEO of the medical center, said in a news release announcing the progress of this year's effort.

Monetary donations are still being accepted for the 2012 drive. For more information, call the Sound Shore Medical Center Foundation at 914-365-4567 or email ssmctoysandcoats@aol.com.