Secret Snowflake - a holiday initiative by NYC Service in partnership with ACS, DSS, DHS, and OCDV - engages City and private sector employees to answer hand written letters and provide gifts for New York City children and families
Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that NYC Service mobilized over 1,600 volunteers to answer more than 2,500 letters from NYC children and families in need and provide them with gifts during the holiday season through the Secret Snowflake initiative. This initiative relies on the support of Mayor’s Office staff, private sector employees across 15 NYC businesses, and a dozen NYC organizations to provide some holiday cheer for thousands of youth and families in the City. Throughout the last four years, Secret Snowflake has served over 9,000 New York City children through letters and in kind donations.
“The holidays can be a critical time for those in need and remind us to be thankful and share that gratitude with our fellow New Yorkers,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Secret Snowflake has grown tremendously and continues to be an inspiration to our staff and our City to give back and make this season brighter for someone else. We are committed to supporting our City’s children and I want to thank the over 1,600 volunteers who answered letters, as well as all the NYC organizations who donated gifts and resources to make the holiday season special for thousands of children and families in need.”
“Secret Snowflake brings New York City residents together during the holidays to support children and youth in need,” said NYC Chief Service Officer Paula Gavin. “The partnership and support from City agency partners, businesses, and every day New Yorkers across the City continues to make it possible for NYC Service to grow Secret Snowflake and support children and families during the holidays. We are honored to be an office that inspires others to volunteer and serve each other during the holiday season and beyond.”
Every holiday season, the Secret Snowflake initiative relies on the support of the City agency partners for success. The Administration for Children’s Services (ACS), the Department of Social Services (DSS), the Department of Homeless Services (DHS), and the Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence (OCDV) collect letters from children and families served by their agencies before the holiday season. NYC Service engages mayoral and private sector employees to volunteer to answer these letters and purchase gifts. In addition, other NYC businesses and organizations across the City provide in kind donations to serve additional children and families.
“The holidays are a special time to spread joy and cheer to children and families in need,” said Administration for Children’s Services Commissioner David Hansell. “Secret Snowflake brings New Yorkers together to take the time to make a child feel special. I want to thank NYC Service for their commitment to giving back to our young people in care.”
“This is a reminder of the wonderful generosity of New Yorkers and the dedication of our staff to helping survivors of domestic violence rebuild their lives,” said Department of Social Services Commissioner Steven Banks. “By participating in this activity with our City partners, we are bringing holiday joy to children who have endured incredible hardship.”
“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.”
“The holidays are a precious time of year for so many, and children especially enjoy opening presents from their parents, loved ones and friends,” said Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence Commissioner Cecile Noel. “While every family may not be in a position to buy gifts, the Secret Snowflake program ensures that more children are able to open a gift each year, and enjoy the spirit of the season.”
The Mayor’s Office for International Affairs also engages the diplomatic community in service during the holidays. This year, participants included representatives from the Consulates General of Belize, Finland, Germany, Lebanon, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Arab Emirates. Representatives from the Permanent Missions of Afghanistan, Andorra, Austria, Chile, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Liberia, Nepal, Poland, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Vanuatu, as well as, the European Union Delegation to the United Nations also participated.
"Each holiday season, the Mayor’s Office for International Affairs activates the world’s largest diplomatic and consular community to support New Yorkers in need through the Secret Snowflake initiative,” said Mayor’s Office for International Affairs Commissioner Penny Abeywardena. “This year, representatives from more than 25 countries collected gifts to bring joy to over 165 youth and children and their families. We are grateful for this opportunity to connect our international partners with the local communities of New York City in the spirit of service and giving.”
NYC Service actively recruits corporate partners and local businesses to fulfill the holiday wishes of children in need. Companies engage their employees to volunteer and answer hand written letters from children, while local businesses donate toys and books to supplement answered letters and serve additional families.
2017 Corporate Partners (Employees Answered Letters):
· Brookfield
· HBO
· Medley
· Mizuho
· M&T bank
· Neuberger Berman
· New York Times
· New York City Football Club
· Revlon
· Swarovski
· Tumblr
· Turner Construction
· Yelp
2017 In-Kind Donors:
· Akashic Books
· Archipelago Books
· Artist & Craftsman Supply: Long Island City and Park Slope
· Brooklyn Sports Entertainment
· Europa Editions
· Greenlight Books
· Globant
· HarperCollins
· HBO
· Macy’s
· Mayor’s Office International Affairs
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