Saturday, October 3, 2026
In an effort to give back to teens on Long Island, the Franklin Square Public Library is hosting a donation drive for sick teens at Cohen Children’s Medical Center, a hospital in Queens. Donations are currently being accepted in the library’s lobby, and will continue to be collected throughout the month of March.
Daphne Levy, the teen services librarian, is the driving force behind this initiative. She explained that she organized this donation drive three years ago as a way for teens to give back to kids their own age. Levy emphasized the importance of teens valuing the act of giving back, especially to their peers.
Levy said participating in this donation drive is also a great way for teens to earn community service hours. When they submit donations, she explained, teens fill out a form with their name, grade and email, which allows them to accrue community service credit.
The hospital provided Levy with a curated list of items that the children requested or needed. There are a variety of items, including toys and games, which the community supplies for them.
When Levy was younger, she recounted, her sister was diagnosed with Type I Diabetes and subsequently treated at Cohen. She said the experience left a lasting impression on her. This motivated Levy to reach out to their staff and create an opportunity for her community to support children and teens in the hospital.
Cohen accepts a variety of donations. Toys donated to the hospital are available to patients aged zero to 21, and are available in designated playrooms, day rooms, and waiting rooms. Donations are accepted year-round.
Demi Lonergan, the special events and donations coordinator at Cohen, explained that her department specifically focuses on toy donations to encourage play in the hospital. She said her goal is to provide patients with as close to a normal experience as possible.
Lonergan said that the donations from the library go a long way to make patients at the hospital have a more comfortable and enjoyable stay.
Levy plans to continue the donation drive annually. She noted that the people of Franklin Square are incredibly generous. “They understand the concept of giving back,” she said, “and they’re always looking for community service opportunities.”
After the holidays, she pointed out, was ideal for organizing the donation drive. She said during the holidays, there could be added pressure on community members who want to give back, but are busy with other commitments.
Although the drive is set to end on March 31, Levy mentioned that she often extends it for those who wish to make last-minute donations, or for anyone who may have forgotten to bring their items.
When she began this initiative, Levy explained, she aimed to empower the children and teens in her community by giving them the chance to help others. They can provide joy, she said, and possibly even distract peers facing tough times.
And, she added, it’s something teens can do that doesn’t require a driver’s license or working papers.
Levy emphasized that performing acts of kindness like this, without seeking anything in return, demonstrates the lasting effects young people have on others.
“The highest form of charity is sometimes just being anonymous and giving from your heart,” she said.
