Sheriffs out to bring toys to Sandy victims in Long Beach

The Nassau County Sheriff’s Correction Officers Benevolent Association is holding a toy drive to help replace toys destroyed in the Dec. 10 fire that devastated the Long Beach Knights of Columbus building.

The 81-year-old KOC building, at 970 W. Beech St., had served as a relief hub after superstorm Sandy and housed many toys collected for children who lost belongings in the storm.

Correction officers union members are asking residents to donate unwrapped toys at the union’s headquarters at 504 East Meadow Ave. in East Meadow between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. today and 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. tomorrow and Friday.

“Long Beach was hit hard by the hurricane and many families continue to struggle,” said Greg Lanning, a correction officers union delegate.

The union is also supporting an invitation-only holiday party for Sandy victims on Saturday, the union state in a statement. Toys will be distributed at the party, a union representative said.

Above: The Long Beach Fire Department, with the help of several other nearby departments, battle a blaze at the Knights of Columbus in Long Beach. (Dec. 10, 2012)