It is the time of year when many people are out shopping for their families and friends, but it is also the time when those less fortunate than ourselves may not be able to afford to buy such gifts. It is with this thought in mind that many groups and individuals make donations of time, money, or gifts. Assemblywomen Donna Ferrara and Kathleen Murray were among those who helped facilitate such generosity this weekend when they each held their Annual Holiday Open House.

Assemblywoman Ferrara, whose district includes East Meadow, Westbury and Syosset held her Seventh Annual Holiday Open House at her district office in Westbury on Saturday morning. This annual event was held in cooperation with the United States Marine Corps Reserve, which has been collecting and distributing toys to children for over 50 years through its holiday season Toys for Tots program. Residents of the 15th Assembly District were invited to attend the open house and bring a toy for the Toys for Tots program and a pair of mittens for her "mitten tree." All the mittens collected on the tree are donated to the Salvation Army.

Ferrara noted that each year she is able to collect a big box of mittens and toys through this open house. She explained that the first year that she was in office she decided this event would be a good opportunity for her visit with her constituents and help the needy. She has been collecting for the Salvation Army for the last seven years and for the Toys for Tots program for about half that time. "I really love this. I enjoy it very much," said Ferrara of the event. She said that each year the Salvation Army waits for her to arrive with her box of mittens.

Assemblywoman Murray, who is spending her second holiday season in office, celebrated her Second Annual Holiday Open House, which also benefited the United States Marine Corps Reserve's Toys for Tots program. A Levittown resident, Murray's district office, where the event was held, is located in Levittown but drew her constituents not only from the local community but from Bellmore, Freeport, Baldwin Harbor and Island Park, which are included in her assembly district.

"I think it is a great opportunity to open my office to my constituents with the added benefit of having the Toys for Tots program as icing on the cake," said Murray. She noted that the holiday open house also gives her constituents the opportunity to speak to her in a festive setting.

Both Holiday Open Houses were highly successful, with each one contributing a big box of toys to the Marines' program as well as the mittens for the Salvation Army.