Yonkers lawmaker delivers gifts to southwest city in conjunction with community organizations
Fernando Pineda | Westchester Hispanic
Collaborator
After returning to normality, after the confinement due to the pandemic, the process of bringing joy to many children in Yonkers was reactivated. A caravan escorted by the sector police located strategic points so that the children accompanied by their parents could approach the truck and receive their Christmas gift.
For the first time in what has to do with the delivery of gifts by caravan, Legislator José Alvarado, from District 17 of the City of Yonkers, joined, who recognized the importance and moral value of this activity.
“Since returning to our position as County Legislator, my assistant Millie and I have formed a consortium with nonprofit organizations that receive county funding and often invest well in these causes. Together the consortium of about 18 organizations receives more than $300,000 annually to provide various services to our Southwest Yonkers constituents,” said Alvarado.
In the same way, the Legislator assured that the intention of being part of this team is simple, it is to be part of a cooperative group that provides direct services to the community. “In this case, we bring smiles to our children through the delivery of toys in the areas of greatest need,” said Alvarado.
During the tour that began in Ceratto Park around noon on Saturday, December 17, more than 300 children smiled happily when they received their gifts from the organizers.
For this event, the items, including toys and others, were mostly donated by The Children’s Cancer Society Love Holds Life, an entity that holds an annual toy raffle every year in Westchester County and on Arthur Ave. in the Bronx to honor the memory of Leticia Dos Santos, who passed away at the age of 13 in 2016 from Ewing’s sarcoma cancer.
Although this was the first year that legislator Alvarado joined this caravan gift delivery, he warned that he has been delivering gifts in different locations in southwestern Yonkers for more than 10 years, such as in local libraries with different former members of the consortium already mentioned.
“The idea is a Christmas culture that comes from our countries and is simply an opportunity to give without expecting anything in return. It is a pleasure for our group to give smiles, ”he said.
For Chairman and Founder Richard J. Senato, it is an immense joy to bring the toy drop event to Yonkers this year after having a successful drop off in 2019 at the Peter Chema Center where they partnered with the Yonkers Police.
“I would like to thank all of our fans and businesses that made this year’s toy drive possible. I also want to thank our volunteers, Steve’s Towing for their support and Councilwoman Tasha Diaz for her help. We are looking to continue our lottery and make Yonkers our Westchester community to serve for years to come,” added Richard J.
Meanwhile, leader Tasha Diaz expressed that the smile on the faces of the children and her families made this event extremely special for her.
“I am honored to be able to give back to the city, that I serve and love Yonkers,” she noted.
With the constituents
At the end of the tour through Ceratto Park, Highland, Saratoga & Lawrence, Lincoln Park, Elm & Linden, Elm & Walnut, Whitney Joung, Lennon Park; Legislator José Alvarado, said that “Our consortium continues to grow and we continue trying to combat the immediate needs of all our constituents. Depending on the community activity that is presented, we have around more than 50 volunteers ready to shake hands. We don’t just distribute toys and games, we also deliver food, clothing and coats to those who need it most. Personally, I make sure that Westchester County has enough funds available to supply food hubs in my area.”
Posted on December 21, 2022
