Holiday Card Making Event Brightens Season for Children & Young People in SE Queens
December 22, 2022
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NYS Senator Leroy Comrie, the NYC Administration for Children’s Services, Greater Nexus, Greater Jamaica Development Corporation, Women in Correction NY, Beyond the Blue, and SEQ U.P. Front joined together to present “Cookies and Cards with Team Comrie,” a holiday card making event for young people on Saturday, December 10th.
Geared toward bringing the spirit of the season to children in care, the event presented an opportunity for more than 50 children and young people to make holiday cards and share holiday cheer with cookies, hot cocoa, cupcakes, and other holiday treats. Agencies with participating families, children, parents, and guardians included SCO Family Services, Harlem Dowling – Jamaica Site, Jamaica FEC (Forestdale Inc.), and Sheltering Arms.
In addition to cookies and card making, children and young people participating received a special holiday gift thanks to the generosity of event partners. A variety of gifts were given out including: watches, speakers, headphones, blankets, journals, coloring books, basketballs, footballs, soccer balls, skateboards, dolls, stuffed animals, nail polish, lip gloss, self-care kits, and more.
NYS Senator Leroy Comrie said, “I always welcome the opportunity to join with mission-driven organizations to present uplifting events in our community – these events are all the more important during the holiday season. Thanks to ACS, our community-based organization partners, and the agencies who helped make ‘Cookies and Cards with Team Comrie’ possible. I count the smiles on children’s faces as a success in sharing the spirit of the season in our community.”
ACS Commissioner Jess Dannhauser said, “ACS is grateful to be partnering with New York State Senator Comrie, and other community members, for the Cookies and Cards event. The event will bring dozens of children and teens together, along with some of their foster families, for a day full of festivities ranging from holiday card making, to gift giving, to delicious food, and more. This is a wonderful way to help spread joy and cheer in the community during the holiday season!”
Jacqueline Denson, Director of Family Enrichment Center, Forestdale, Inc., said, “Cookies and Cards remind us of the power and importance of community and the joy that kindness brings. FEC (Forestdale Inc.) was honored to be a part of this significant event that undoubtedly brought hope and joy to our community.”
Photo Courtesy Office of NYS Senator Leroy Comrie / Branded by Rae Productions
(L. to r.) : Olanike Alabi (Director of Community Engagement, ACS), Felicia Galy (President. SEQ UP, front), Sharon Nelson (President, Women in Correction NY), Senator Leroy Comrie, Patricia Robinson (Chief Administrative Officer, Greater Jamaica Development Corporations), Jess Dannhauser (Commissioner, ACS), Ina Mendez (Deputy Commissioner of Family Permanency Services, ACS), Heidi Schieck (Director of Young Adult Services, SCO Family of Services), Johnson Sherine (Program Director, Harlem Dowling Westside Center Queens Outreach Family Support Program).