Bronx Zoo hosts toy drive for children of veterans

Santa and Mrs. Clause came on a horse and carriage to the Bronx Zoo,
where they delivered hundreds of toys to the children of veterans.

Last month, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. joined the Bronx Zoo and the Bronx Chamber of Commerce in a toy drive for the families of veterans.

Included among the veterans was Jeans Cruz, the Bronxite who found Saddam Hussein.

Children received sports balls, action figures, dolls, and much, much more. The National Guard also showed up half way through to give kids some of their swag, including backpacks and winter hats.

We caught up with Cruz for a minute to ask him about the event and the news that the last soldiers were leaving Iraq. He said he was very appreciative for the donations, adding that it's difficult for him to buy multiple gifts for each of his four children. Also, he said, two of his children have birthdays a week before Christmas.

Cruz said it is difficult to buy multiple presents for his four children in this economy.

He wasn't overly joyful about the Iraq news, because "you can't say that it's definite," he said. He has friends that are already on their way back to the area for cleanup.

The National Guard showed up to give kids their swag.

Bronxite who found Saddam honored at G.I. gala

Another story from this week's Bronx Press. Enjoy.

By Brendan McHugh 

U.S. Army Specialist Jeans Cruz, the war hero who found Iraq’s dictator Saddam Hussein hiding in a hole in 2003, was among five distinguished veterans and veterans’ activists who were honored by the G.I. Go Fund at its third annual gala. 

Cruz, a Bronxite, deserves better recognition, according to those at the celebration. 

“When I heard Jeans story I thought to myself: how is this guy’s name not world renown? Sixty years ago, if someone had caught Hitler, we would all know who that person was, that person’s name would go down in history,” said G.I. Go Fund Executive Director Jack Fanous. “I want [the people in] this room to start today: we will know who Jeans Cruz is and we will honor him for what he did.” 

Cruz received the “Veteran of the Year” Award for his outstanding service. He worked in the World Trade Center when they were attacked on Sept. 11, 2001, and never imagined that during his first and only tour in Iraq, he would be the one to find and capture the fallen Iraqi dictator hiding in a ditch outside of his home city of Tikrit, after the fall of Baghdad. 

Jump below for the full story.