During the NYPPA/Starwood Annual Holiday Party this past Tuesday, the Association raised over $2600 for the Maria Ferrari Children's Hospital in Westchester and collected over 350 toys for distribution to needy children in the Metro area. There were over 300 guests in attendance, including Mayor Michael Bloomberg, FDNY Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta and NYPD Deputy Commissioner Paul Browne. Beyond the members' generous offerings, the New York Yankees and the New York Mets also donated gifts placed under the holiday tree. 
The Association also held a raffle to raise the money for the Children's center. The top prize was 50,000 Starwood points from Starwood. Adorama's Jeff Snyder donated three Nikon Coolpix cameras and Dane-Elec Memory's Jerry Murphy donated four-gigabit memory cards for the cameras. J & R Music World donated four $25 gift certificates and a pair of orchestra tickets to the The Grinch Stole Christmas Broadway Musical! THANKS TO ALL!
We would like to thank Kathy Conits and everyone at Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc., for the wonderful Holiday party. We are so thankful for their continuing support to the Association.

Photo: Vice President Todd Maisel with Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Starwood's Kathy Conits surrounded by gifts from members and friends of the NYPPA.