Holidays Come Early For Kids At UWS Community Health Center
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The holidays arrived early this year for hundreds of kids in New York City when Santa made some special deliveries at a community health center on the Upper West Side.
Santa took pictures and delivered gifts to young patients at the William F. Ryan Community Health Center. Alphonso Taylor Jr. said he got a magnetic dartboard.
"It's awesome," he said. "I might play all night."
Alphonso and his two siblings couldn't be more thrilled with their surprise toys. Their father Alphonso Taylor is grateful for the generosity, saying it's often difficult to afford presents for his children and make the holidays special.
"It can be hard, it can be stressful," he said. "It's worth it to see the smile on their faces. It's worth it."
The non-profit organization has gifts for more than 1,000 patients who get treated at the pediatric center. About 85 percent of families there are on medicaid or have no insurance.
"This is definitely our way of making their holidays brighter," President and CEO Brian McIndoe told CBS2's Ilana Gold.
Organizers say this giveaway truly makes a difference in these kids' lives.
"It isn't about the size, was it expensive, it's that they're receiving something and a person cared to wish them a happy holiday," said the center's Lorraine Leong.
Parents said this event isn't just about gifts. Their kids are learning an important lesson about kindness and helping others in need.
"My kids are learning and understanding the importance of Christmas," said Taylor. "It's not just about receiving, it's also about giving."
The organization is going to be handing out gifts to seniors at its Harlem location on Dec. 16.
