Everything Kids Expo brings the fun in Greenpoint

It was a children’s wonderland, with plenty for parents as well, at this year’s Everything Kids Expo.

A fun-filled, activity-driven and free-for-all day for children of all ages, the annual expo, hosted by the Home Reporter, the Brooklyn Spectator and the Greenpoint YMCA was held at the Greenpoint YMCA on Saturday, October 17 and included some of the borough’s kid-friendly restaurants, health insurance, medical practices and entertainment corporations.

With activities set up both inside and outside the YMCA, this year’s expo turned out tons of fun for both children and parents.

“It’s wonderful to have families and children come together,” said artist Clare Stokolosa, one of the day’s exhibitors. “They’re offering a lot of wonderful things for safety and also for fun, and it’s just a great event to meet with the different vendors and see what’s available.”

Other exhibitors, like PM Pediatrics—an urgent care center that caters mostly to children — were excited to spread the word about their services to the community.

“We’re open from the hours of 12 noon to 12 midnight and we work along with the pediatricians,” said Tyshema Bryan, a medical assistant representing the company. “We communicate closely with pediatricians and I feel that this is a great way of people knowing that we exist because a lot of people don’t know that there is an urgent care that caters mainly to children [in the area] so I’m excited to be here today.”

“It is a great day,” added Abdo Almasmary, Brooklyn outreach specialist for Fidelis Care, a health insurance provider. “Everyone is excited to be here and it is a great day for information and to educate the community. Whether it’s health insurance, education or pre-k, there are [a number of things] here for the community.”

Mother of three Margie White said community events like this are great for her children and loves that the YMCA participates.

“We come to every event that they hold,” White said of the YMCA. “My kids (12, 10 and four) always have a great time and it keeps them active instead of sitting on the couch.”

Pranee Pena, another local mom with two children, ages four and six, agreed.

“It’s great, especially if the community is providing information in one place,” said Pena. “It’s one place you do everything [and] can kill two birds with one stone. It’s very good that they provide this.”

“These events are good because it’s a lot of community organizations coming together to show what the community can do to support families,” said Senior Youth and Family Director of the YMCA Angela Speakman. “The Y is always happy to be a part of that, we are thrilled.”

The event also offered up tons of prizes, including a 6-month membership to the Greenpoint YMCA and a grand prize trip to Cancun donated by the TBAIMS.

Sponsors included Fidelis Care, PM Pediatrics, The Brooklyn Nets and NY Kids Club. A special thanks to Yelp and Bitsy Brain Foods for donations.