The Sol Goldman Red Hook Recreation Center as well as the Miccio Community Center hosted holiday themed events to give back to Red Hook kids on Saturday, December 17.
Flyers throughout various neighborhood buildings advertised the events. Approximately one hundred children came to play and receive presents.
The beginning of the celebration had games for the kids, which were organized by a Parks Department employee. The children could also sit on Santa’s lap, do arts and crafts, run around the gym, and eat pizza and other refreshments. Many parents took pictures of their kids enjoying the various activities.
After Julian Morales from Carlos Menchaca’s office and Karen Broughton from Felix Ortiz’s office arrived, the main attraction began.
There were raffles for 20 turkeys supplied by Fairway Market as well as three new bicycles donated by Ms. Andrea Keyes and her family. Ms. Keyes, Morales, and Broughton all took turns reading out raffle numbers to announce the lucky winners.
After everyone who won enthusiastically received their turkey and bicycle it was then time to distribute the toys.
Menchaca’s office and Affinity donated many toys. Families formed a line from the gym to the lobby to receive their present. Each family entered a room and chose a toy. Then it was time to leave.
Later that day, the Red Hook Lions Club held their 22nd annual toy drive. On that cold and wet day, holiday cheer and gifts filled the Miccio Center as well.
The Lions Club gathered people from the community for a holiday meal followed by each choosing a toy that they wanted.
Lions Club International is the world’s largest service club organization with 1.35 million members in 206 countries. The Red Hook Lions Club was chartered in 1993.
