MARINE PARK — In 2001, the 41st Assembly District Lew Fidler Democrats Club held their first Toys for Tots holiday toy drive in a relatively small storefront space on Avenue R near Haring Street.

Twenty-three years later, the club continues to dedicate the event to the memory of Fidler, who died in 2019. 

The former Brooklyn city councilmember and longtime Democratic politician represented Bergen Beach, Sheepshead Bay, Marine Park, Mill Basin and Canarsie in the City Council from 2002 until 2013. 

Fidler left the council because of term limits and was succeeded by fellow Democrat Alan Maisel in January 2014.

This year’s annual toy drive for needy children took place Dec. 19, before an intimate crowd of community members and Democratic district leaders that included Robin Fidler, widow of Lew; Jennifer Faucher, district leader and state committee member, 41st Assembly District; Kalman Yeger, councilmember for the 44th Assembly District; Frank Seddio, former judge for Kings County Surrogate’s Court; and district leader Anthony Jones, 55th Assembly District.  

“All these years later, we are still putting smiles on the faces of children in need,” Faucher said. “This is the largest toy drive in Brooklyn, and it has made such a difference in our community. Every toy we collect goes to a child in need, and every dollar we receive goes to buying toys. All donations are noteworthy.” 

Fidler added, “My husband started this many years ago, and I’m so happy that it’s been so successful and continues to do what needs to be done for kids.”

The U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots local drive, organized by Fidler’s club, has donated more than 88,000 toys in the 23 years since the drive’s establishment first began, with an initial 79 toys donated for kids that first year.

“Today we hope to have around 3,000,” Faucher noted, using her platform to explain yet another reason why the evening’s gathering is quite significant. “December marks the end of Assemblymember Helene Weinstein’s (D-41) term in office,” she continued.. “Helene has been a partner with the labor movement, and so many other organizations within this community, and we are so grateful to have had her for 44 years.” 

Yehuda Schupper, Weinstein’s chief of staff, spoke on behalf of the assemblymember, who was not at the event. 

“Helene leaves behind a legacy that is possibly unmatched in the New York State Assembly at this point,” Schupper said. “She was a motivated legislator and not your typical politician.”