Thirty years ago, a rookie cop saved Christmas by reaching into his own pocket to help a Brooklyn burglary victim whose kids’ presents were stolen by a heartless Grinch.
That simple act of kindness by Don Costello, a now retired lieutenant, has morphed into the city’s biggest toy give-away, one that will be celebrated tonight at the 30th Annual Children’s Christmas Benefit, at Our Lady of Lourdes, in Queens Village.
Six hundred guests, including many local movers and shakers, are expected to appear with new toys or games, comprising a haul large enough to make Santa jealous that will be destined for Hurricane Sandy victims.
In 1982, Costello was a new cop assigned to the 69th Precinct, which covers Canarsie and East Flatbush, where he took a burglary report from a devastated Brooklyn bus driver whose apartment had been ransacked two days before Christmas.
The recently divorced victim had purchased two bicycles he hoped to give to his 5-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter, but the bikes were gone, leaving the impoverished dad crestfallen.
“I took the report and went back to the precinct and called Catholic Charities,” Costello recalled, referring to the charitable arm of the New York Archdiocese.
There were some clothes available, but no toys, Costello recalled.
Unable to buy new bikes, Costello did buy presents for both children, telling the surprised bus driver they were donated by fellow cops — a white lie that left the bus driver tearful with gratitude.
The heart-warming experience made a powerful impression upon Costello, who later became a lieutenant assigned to the NYPD the Intelligence Division, where he helped guard Rudy Giuliani‘s family at Gracie Mansion.
The following year, he and 10 pals rented a small hall for a Yule party and about 80 people showed up with donated toys — and the event has snowballed from there.
He’s received contributions from the Durst family and Jack Rudin, both noted New York realtors, as well as Fred Wilpon, owner of the Mets and Dick Grasso, former head of the New York Stock Exchange.
The toy collection for this year is so huge, Costello and Catholic Charities will need a 17-foot trailer to pick them up and re-distribute them, a joyous task that will take place Monday.
Most of the presents are destined for hard-hit residents of the Rockaway peninsula and elsewhere in Queens, said Sheldon Peters, community project director for Catholic Charities Brooklyn/Queens.
Costello, a resident of Garden City, noted how several local politicians have slyly approached him in years past, trying to wrest control of his feel-good extravaganza, with promises of a top patronage post if he agrees to step aside.
Despite the overtures, Costello says he’s always politely demurred, insisting it’s all about the kids.
Those with new wrapped or unwrapped gifts or toys can present them at Our Lady of Lourdes’ school basement , at Springfield Blvd. and 93rd Avenue, from 8 p.m. until 1 a.m., and enjoy the free food and refreshments.