The Catskill Chronicle

LIBERTY, NY (November 4, 2011) – Not one child in Sullivan County should go without a new toy during the holidays.

It’s that strongly held belief that has driven M&M Auto Group owners Donna and Howard Braunstein to once again spearhead a toy drive in their Mill Street, Liberty showroom to benefit the US Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. Those toys will then be distributed to needy children throughout the Sullivan County area before Christmas Day.

“Supporting our area’s youth is a commitment we made as a family years ago, and we are pleased to have such dedicated supporters behind this effort,” said M&M Auto Group owner Howard Braunstein.

The official kick-off for the drive will be on Saturday, November 12 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Thunder 102, a strong supporter of the effort, will be broadcasting live from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the M&M Auto Group showroom. The public is welcome to attend; a new unwrapped toy is the only admission requirement.

“We understand the importance of supporting our area’s most needy, especially during this holiday season, so we welcome the opportunity to promote the efforts of our area businesses and organizations,” said Thunder 102’s Paul Ciliberto. “M&M has always been community-minded so anything they’re behind at this point, we’re proudly behind.”

Last year’s M&M Toy Drive brought in donations of roughly 1,500 new, unwrapped toys. Howard and Donna Braunstein matched the donation with the purchase of an additional 1,500 toys in support of the campaign. The goal for this year’s campaign is 2000 donated toys, with the Braunsteins once again committed to matching the final tally.

M&M Auto Group has decided to expand its efforts this year to include the collection of cash donations to support the Sullivan County Court Appointed Special Advocate Association (CASA), which provides volunteers who are appointed by the Family Court Judge to speak up for the needs of abused and neglected children.

To benefit CASA, M&M Auto Group will be selling “Paper Angels,” which will be posted throughout the showroom during the holidays. The campaign has been named after a novel penned by country star Jimmy Wayne, a Sullivan County favorite and national spokesperson for CASA. Last year Wayne walked 1,700 miles across America through his “Project Meet Me Halfway” in an effort to raise awareness about the needs of foster children, and particularly those who are aging out of the foster care system without any additional support.

To widen the community involvement, M&M Auto Group is inviting Sullivan County service organizations interested in collecting toys and donations to set up individually decorated Christmas trees (generously provided by Hilltop Homes) in the showroom. Each display will act as a drop point for their organization’s supporters to deliver toys. If you are an interested organization, please call Thunder 102’s Regina Hensley at 845-292-7535 for more information. The participating organizations will be invited to decorate their trees during the kick-off festivities on November 12.

“We thought a little healthy competition among these organizations might add a bit of fun to the whole effort,” M&M General Manager Gary Samboy said. “Watching the piles of toys grow as we get closer to Christmas is half the fun.”

For more information about Sullivan County CASA, visit www.sullivancountycasa.org or call 845-807-0672. For more information about M&M Auto Group’s Toys for Tots drive, visit www.mmautogroup.com or call 845-292-3500. Donations will be accepted in the M&M Auto Group showroom during business hours until Christmas.