Photo Courtesy of NYC Service
According to the City, the Secret Snowflake initiative has served more than 13,000 NYC children through answered letters and in-kind donations over the last five years.
By Forum Staff
The City has engaged nearly 2,000 volunteers to answer letters from 3,400 children and families in need across the five boroughs this holiday season through Secret Snowflake, a holiday gift-giving initiative, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Thursday.
According to the administration, Secret Snowflake recruits more than 150 City employees as well as private sector employees from nearly 30 Big Apple businesses and matches them with thousands of youth and families. NYC Service supplements these gifts with donations from more small and large Gotham businesses and received 2,100 in-kind donations this year.
The initiative relies on help from other City agencies. The Administration for Children’s Services, the Department of Social Services, the Department of Homeless Services, and the Mayor’s Office to End Gender-Based Violence collect letters from children and families served by their agencies before the holiday season.
“Thanks to NYC Service’s Secret Snowflake initiative, more than 1,000 children experiencing homelessness will receive toys, books, clothing and school supplies this holiday season,” said Department of Homeless Services Administrator Joslyn Carter. “Homelessness affects every neighborhood in our city, and we are grateful for New Yorkers’ dedication to spreading the holiday spirit through generosity and compassion for neighbors in need.”
Additionally, the Mayor’s Office for International Affairs also engages the diplomatic community in service during the holidays. This year, participants included the Permanent Missions of Afghanistan, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Colombia, Fiji, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Montenegro, New Zealand, Peru, Russian Federation, Singapore, and Sweden. The Consulates General of Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Lebanon, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Seychelles, and Singapore also participated, along with the Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations in New York, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, the United Nations, and members of the Mayor’s Office for International Affairs.
“The Secret Snowflake initiative offers us the opportunity each year to engage with the world’s largest diplomatic community to help bring joy to vulnerable New Yorkers,” said MOIA Commissioner Penny Abeywardena. “This year, representatives from more than 25 countries and international organizations collected gifts for over 175 youth and their families. We appreciate the generosity of our international partners, and we are grateful for this annual chance to serve the local communities of New York City in celebration of the season.”
According to the City, Secret Snowflake has served over 13,000 NYC children through answered letters and in-kind donations over the last five years.
