Bronx Notes: Toy Drive for Children’s Hospital

LaSorsa Chevrolet Dealer and Montefiore Medical Center are sponsoring a toy drive to benefit patients at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore. From now until Dec. 16, you can drop off unwrapped toys to the following locations (call the stores for hours).

Facing Death With the Courage of a ‘Warrior Princess’

For such a young lady, 10-year-old Lydia Stephens is already well acquainted with death. She no longer fears it. Twice, she’s drawn to the brink of it and bounced back miraculously. Her courage while staring into the face of it is nothing short of heroic. That’s why they call her the “Warrior Princess.” This is her story.

Tree Lighting Tonight on Jerome Kicks Off Toy Drive for Children’s Hospital

The Jerome-Gun Hill Business Improvement District is hosting a tree lighting ceremony tonight, from 6 to 8 p.m., at Green Streets Park (Mosholu Parkway North and Jerome Avenue, right under the 4 train stop). The event, which will include a visit from Santa, will be hosted by Rhina “La Reina del Barrio” Valentin. Last week, some 20 volunteers, including Assemblyman Jeff Dinowitz, wrapped nearly 100 gifts, which will be given out to local kids who visit Santa at the tree lighting tonight. Tonight’s event will also kick off a toy drive to benefit patients at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, an effort sponsored by La Sorsa Auto and Montefiore Medical Center. From now until Dec. 16, you can drop off unwrapped toys to the following locations (call the stores for hours):

Bronx Notes: Storm Victim Relief Effort Continues

Those wishing to donate goods to help with the ongoing storm relief effort caused by Hurricane Sandy can bring non-perishable food, bottled water, blankets, batteries and clothing to the Kingsbridge Armory, west entrance on Reservoir Avenue between West Kingsbridge Road and West 195th Street. If you want to volunteer, call (718) 473-6993.

Editorial: Lessons From a Marathon

I overcame a barrage of obstacles — physical, mental, even geographical — on my quest to run the New York City Marathon this year. But it was an epic storm seven days before the pay off that finally did me in. Was I disappointed? Yes. Was it the right decision? Absolutely.

Bronx Notes: Stop Smoking Program

North Central Bronx Hospital, 3424 Kossuth Ave., offers free group counseling and nicotine replacement therapy for smokers looking to quit. No appointments are needed or required, walk-ins are welcome. The smoking cessation program runs weekdays at 10 a.m. or 2 p.m. in room 13A12. For more information, call (718) 519-2425/2490.

Bronx Notes: Help Clean Tree Pits on Gun Hill Road

Local resident and tree lover Janice Flood is leading a tree pit cleaning effort on Gun Hill Road this Saturday morning, Oct. 13, and needs people to help out. The crew will be meeting at Bainbridge Avenue and Gun Hill Road at 10 a.m. and will be working until 1 p.m. If you want to join, just show up. If you need more information, call Janice at (646) 271-4310.

Op-ed: Medicare Part D Works

As the founder of Women in Progress, a nonprofit in the Bronx that helps women who are rebuilding their lives, I am greatly concerned about proposed changes to Medicare Part D. This is a program that is not only helping women I serve, but is a crucial benefit that provides for the people that serve as their support system — mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. Medicare Part D has radically improved the healthcare of over 43 million seniors in America.

Op-ed: To the Men of the Bronx, Mentors Wanted

For many of us, summer brings to mind childhood memories of baseball games, barbeques and trips to the beach. But for thousands of young people in the Bronx who grow up below the poverty line in single-parent households, summer is just another reminder of what they don’t have.