BP Adams delivers thousands of donated holiday toys to Brooklyn’s underserved youth
On Tuesday, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams distributed more than 3,330 toys for underserved youth throughout Brooklyn this holiday season. The donations were picked up by dozens of local houses of worship and nonprofits caring for children, as well as delivered to a number of the borough’s New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) developments for their youngest residents.
Adams’ toy drive was made possible through the support of community and corporate partners, as well as the generosity of Brooklynites who dropped off presents at a variety of area businesses, cultural institutions and schools. Surrounded by a group of children at Brooklyn Borough Hall, Adams spoke about the importance of generosity during the holidays to support Brooklyn families struggling to make ends meet; according to the 2015 American Community Survey from the U.S. Census Bureau, 31.3 percent of the borough’s children under the age of 18 live in households with incomes below the federal poverty line.
“People often don’t realize that it’s not just about giving a gift; it’s about memories,” said Adams. “Adults can tell stories of getting up early, rushing downstairs, looking to see what’s under the tree, unwrapping a package, as well as learning the gift of giving, receiving and appreciating. I would not have had a Christmas throughout my childhood years if it wasn’t for the Salvation Army. We want to wish Brooklyn and New York, especially our young ‘elves,’ a very merry Christmas.”
Brooklyn Boro
View MoreNew York City’s most populous borough, Brooklyn, is home to nearly 2.6 million residents. If Brooklyn were an independent city it would be the fourth largest city in the United States. While Brooklyn has become the epitome of ‘cool and hip’ in recent years, for those that were born here, raised families here and improved communities over the years, Brooklyn has never been ‘uncool’.