The Red Hook Rec Center was in the spirit of giving last month, hosting their annual holiday bash with food, music and presents for children.
It was organized by Isiah Forde of the Center and Andre Richey of New Leader Hoops. The first holiday party hosted by the Rec Center in 2015.
There was pizza from Mark’s on Van Brunt Street and a barbecue food from Hometown BBQ Street for everyone to enjoy.
In a room next to the front desk and pool table, there were gifts set up for the kids. After getting a ticket, each would get on line and pick out the toy that they wanted.
In the gym, IKEA sponsored a table full of gifts for kids and adults. There were stuffed animals, Advent calendars with chocolate and vouchers for the IKEA restaurant.
Community Offshore Wind donated 300 coats for children. They found out about the event through Richey of New Leader Hoops.
Get Give Teach distributed draw string bags with school supplies. They also had bags with gifts.
There was a sorority that came through a connection with New Leader Hoops. The sorority manned a table with Connect Four and Jenga.
There was an area in the front of the gym that was decorated in Christmas themes where the kids got to take pictures with Santa.
NYC Ferry had a table with information for everyone including discount program for students.
The Red Hook Library had a table in the back of the gym where kids got to decorate Christmas ornaments.
Forde, who has been at the Red Hook location since 2017, has been doing this event at different locations for 24 years.
A highlight of the holiday bash was honoring retired Gilbert Gonzalez. He was given a plaque with the Parks Department logo on it and a retired legend sash around his body.
Forde gave a speech about what Gonzalez meant to him and the youth in the Red Hook community.
Gonzalez’s first year working at the Rec Center was back in 1999. He started out as a playground associate and instructed various sports.
“My title has changed,” Gonzalez said. “When I came here, I was doing basketball, baseball and football. I loved doing that. Now, I have transitioned to being a supervisor.”
A standout memory during his more than two decades at the Red Hook Rec Center has been coaching flag football. The players that he coached still talk about the trophies they won.
“I have three city wide championships with the kids in the flag football league,” Gonzalez said.
“They got trophies and everything. It was really nice. It was one of the highlights for me being here being the citywide champion for this recreation center.”
He coached flag football from 2000-2007 and they would practice and play games for four months out of the year. “They love it,” Gonzalez said. “They still to this day remember me and say ‘hey Gil, remember the flag football.’ Now they are grown men. It’s definitely still a big highlight for them.”
Gonzalez was born and raised in Red Hook. He thought it was great working at the Rec Center while living five minutes away.
Gonzalez oversaw all the programs that happened at the Rec Center and he also continued doing some of the programming himself while being supervisor. He oversaw the billiards tournaments for the seniors for about five years while he was supervisor.
He wanted to show the other employees what could be done.
“Not to tell you what to do, I am going to show you what to do, so when I am gone you all could take care of it,” Gonzalez said. “I try to pass it on to Tank and Kevin so hopefully it is in good hands.”
