Picone Realty provides Toys for Tots retail space at 1644 Rte. 110 in Farmingdale

Shown above (from left) are: Andy Dorman, Hunt associate broker; Toys for Tots coordinators Sgt. Richard Carver and staff Sgt. Mindy Savrock; and Joseph Picone of Picone Realty.

Farmingdale, NY According to Hunt Corporate Services, Inc., Picone Realty, Inc. provided retail space on Rte. 110 so that U.S. Marines could carry off this year’s Toys for Tots campaign without a hitch. “We know the Marines are doing important work, not only in defense of our country, but because they are making it possible for disadvantaged children to receive gifts for the holidays,” said Joseph Picone III, an executive with Picone Acquisition Corp. The Picone family business was established in 1946, and is a second and third generation family-owned company. 

Joe Picone Jr., the company’s CEO, was initially contacted by Andy Dorman, an associate broker with Hunt Corporate Services. A veteran himself, Dorman has helped place the Marine Toys for Tots unit in temporary facilities for the past three years. “The Picone family loves this country, and is willing to turn over highly valuable retail space to a cause that has been meeting the needs of underprivileged children for almost 70 years,” said Dorman. 

Located at 1644 Rte. 110, the site is at the southwest corner of Rte.110 and Price Pkwy. 

“We are so grateful to the people who provide space for us,” said sergeant Richard Carver, the Marine coordinating this year’s Toys for Tots collection campaign. “Most property owners aren’t interested because we’re only asking for a short-term lease to store toys through the Christmas season. But this year, the Picone family came through for us in a big way,” staff sergeant Mindy Savrock said. “A good central location insures that we’ll collect the maximum amount of toys.”

Toys for Tots was founded 70 years ago by a Marine reserve officer. It has since become one of the world’s most visible charities. In 2015 alone, for example, Toys for Tots gave over 16.8 million toys to seven million less fortunate children. It continues to be a top-rated charity, which means over 97% of donations actually go to the needy, while only 3% is spent on fundraising and overhead. 

To donate a toy: Go to www.toysfortots.org and find a drop-off location. The dropdown menu labeled “Select a State” will guide you to your local Toys for Tots campaign, in this case Farmingdale. The local campaign also has a phone number: 516-847-5848. Marines will be on site to accept your contribution. If you prefer to make a financial donation, again go to www.toysfortots.org and find your local Toys for Tots campaign. At the local website, each visitor may also find information about local events, how to become a collection point for the local campaign, how to register for assistance, and how to donate directly to a local campaign.