New York Cares executive director Saluja (l) and PS/MS 31 principal Boyd speak to kindergarten students after the gift distribution.
Photo Steven Goodstein
The holiday season is always a time of giving and one South Bronx school was very much in the spirit on Tuesday morning, with Christmas less than a week away.
On Dec. 19, nonprofit organization New York Cares hosted its 35th annual coat drive and 34th annual gift distribution event at PS/MS 31 The William Lloyd Garrison School, located at 250 E. 156th St. in Melrose .The event supported and served students of families who live in School District 7, which included the neighborhoods of Melrose, Port Morris, Mott Haven, Highbridge, Longwood, Morrisania and Concourse Village.
The day of giving began with elementary school students, along with a classroom of kindergarten students, receiving special holiday gifts from Santa Claus, who showed up to take pictures with the children and hand out presents to each of them. Vince Guaraldi Trio’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas” soundtrack was playing in the background as Santa presented the students with their gifts.
Many of the students’ gifts included board games and Beanie Babies, among other fun items.
Following the gift distribution, middle school students picked out and tried on winter coats in front of mirrors to determine what jackets best fit them.
For this year’s coat drive, volunteers donated 300 warm winter coats, while 300 pre-requested gifts were distributed to students in need during the gift distribution event.
“For me, the best part of this entire experience is knowing that we are providing each student here with gifts, coats, along with a positive message,” said New York Cares executive director Sapreet Saluja. “That positive message is that each of these students matter and that it’s important to be giving — even a little bit can go a long way.”
Saluja said that the event will hopefully relieve the burden of…
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