Christmas is a time for giving, for creating happiness and putting joy into someone’s life.
For Reaching-Out Community Services, that means mounting Operation Christmas Smiles, a two-day event targeted at less fortunate children in the community.
On Saturday, December 19, the organization held its annual party at St. Mary Mother of Jesus Church, 2311 85th Street, and on Sunday, December 20,the Santa on Wheels event was hosted at the Brooklyn Cyclones’ MCU Park, 1904 Surf Avenue in Coney Island with the help on Councilmember Mark Treyger..
Over the course of the weekend, Santa gave out toys to over 1,000 children registered with the Reaching Out program, explained Executive Director of Reaching-Out, Thomas Neve, who also noted that the weekend’s fun included face painting, arts and crafts, a magic show, a balloonist, a meet and greet with some fun characters, and a few arcade games. Refreshments were also served.
“It’s our 10th year doing this for the families registered with Reaching Out,” said Neve. “It’s a way for the children to be able to celebrate their Christmas holiday and to make it memorable for them. It’s about being able to put smiles on their faces.” Neve later recalls seeing the appreciation from the families, and the joy on the kid’s faces, a sign that their goal of spreading smiles had been met.
Among the supporters of the events are the Tablet – Desales Media Group, the Transit Managerial Benevolent Association, the Rotary Club of Verrazano, CPEX Real Estate, EXIT Reality, PC’s Bar & Grill, the 68th Precinct Community Concil and the Dyker Heights Civic Association, along with many more.