GIVE IT YOUR ALL

YMCAS HOST GIVEAWAYS DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON

YMCAs across the city partnered with elected officials, public figures, and businesses to host giveaways of food and presents.

In November, the Broadway, Castle Hill, Coney Island, Flatbush, Flushing, La Central, North Brooklyn, Northeast Bronx, and Rockaway Ys collectively gave out over 2,000 turkeys, chickens, and hams, along with other food items. This was made possible with support from partners such as Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Congress Member Ritchie Torres, State Senator Jamaal Bailey, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, Council Members Sylvena Brooks-Powers, Amanda Farías, and Kevin Riley, Tampa Bay Buccaneer Christian Izien, Carpenter Contractor Alliance of Metropolitan NY, District Council of Carpenters, Edenwald Houses Tenants Association, and MetroPlusHealth.

In December, Y staff at the Castle Hill, Coney Island, Dodge, Flatbush, McBurney, and Park Slope Armory Ys played Santa by hosting drives and giveaways of new toys and coats. Partners included the Alliance for Coney Island, Brooklyn Sigmas, Council Member Amanda Farías, Morgan Stanley, and newly elected Assembly Member Emérita Torres.•

(top) Council Member Amanda Farías, Castle Hill Y Executive Director Sharlene Brown, and newly elected Assembly Member Emérita Torres get in the holiday spirit; (above) Members of the Castle Hill Y enjoy picking up free turkeys.

Tampa Bay Buccaneer and Far Rockaway native Christian Izien shares the wealth at the Rockaway Y.

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie hands out turkeys at the Northeast Bronx Y. 

Staff at the Park Slope Armory Y prepare to hand out donated toys and coats.

Santa poses with a family at the Cross Island Y’s Winter Wonderland event.

Brooklyn Sigmas give back at the Bedford-Stuyvesant Y’s holiday party for families.

Mr. and Mrs. Claus share a magical moment with a participant at the Ridgewood Y.

Distribution day at the North Brooklyn Y.

Morgan Stanley delivers over 700 gifts to kids served by the Y, which were beautifully wrapped by employee volunteers.