Initiative Engaged Highest Number of Corporate and Public Sector Volunteers in History
New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced today that NYC Service has helped facilitate the donation of more than 5,500 individualized gifts given to vulnerable youth in transitional housing, foster care, shelters, family justice centers, and Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Centers this holiday season through the Secret Snowflake in-kind donation initiative — serving the highest number of children in the program’s decades-long history. The program also engaged the most private sector businesses to date, with 32 businesses engaging a record number of 3,500 employees as volunteers.
“Serving those in need is part of what it means to be a New Yorker, and during the cold winter and holiday season, our administration worked together with the private sector to send a warm welcome to our newest New Yorkers and spread joy to youth in need,” said Mayor Adams. “I share my gratitude to the thousands of employees from the private and public sectors who answered Secret Snowflake holiday wishes of 5,500 youth in transitional housing, shelters, and humanitarian relief centers, and to the corporate partners that mobilized their workforce in the spirit of service.”
“Secret Snowflake exemplifies how New Yorkers come together to support and lend holiday cheer to others in the toughest of times,” said Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives Sheena Wright. “Thank you to the generous, record number of volunteers for their acts of service. Together with the business sector, diplomatic community, and dedicated city agency staff, we delivered joy and comfort to thousands of children and their families this holiday season.”
"The holiday season is a time to celebrate, reflect, and practice gratitude, but it can also be a very challenging time for New Yorkers most in need. Secret Snowflake's mission to bring joy and holiday spirit to some of our city's most vulnerable populations through service and engagement exemplifies what NYC Service does year-round for our city," said New York City Chief Engagement Officer Betsy MacLean. “I am thrilled that NYC Service, their corporate partners, and city staff reached over 5,500 young people and made their holiday season merrier this year.”
“Part of being a New Yorker is showing up for one another in times of need. This continues to be a year like no other, and these acts of service from our volunteers will brighten 5,500 young peoples’ holiday, including welcoming our city’s recent children and families seeking asylum,” said New York City Chief Service Officer Laura Rog. “Thank you to the private businesses and city staff for believing in the power of service and coming together once again for our neighbors and fellow New Yorkers.”
NYC Service has scaled Secret Snowflake to its widest reach through a cross-sector collaboration between city agencies serving youth, private-sector businesses, the diplomatic community, and mayoral staff. This year’s program benefitted more than 5,500 youth, ages 0-18 years old, served by seven different city agencies, including the New York City Administration for Children’s Services, the New York City Department of Homeless Services, the New York City Department of Education, the New York City Department for the Aging, the Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender Based Violence, the New York City Human Resources Administration, and NYC Health + Hospitals. NYC Service coordinated the intake of 5,547 letters from youth — a 48 percent increase compared to the previous year. Youth letter requests vary based on interest and typically include necessities, such as clothing, shoes, or a warm coat, as well as toys, books, and other game-based activities.
Mobilizing the private sector in service is key to scaling the in-kind program’s reach. This year, 32 businesses — from large scale corporations to small business — united in service to meet the program’s largest volume of letter requests to date. Each business partner engaged between three and 900 employees to answer letters with a “wish” from youth between the ages of one month and 18 years old. Additionally, several businesses contributed bulk donations of books and toys.
The Mayor’s Office for International Affairs engaged the diplomatic and consular community in supporting more than 510 youth across the five boroughs.
“It is incredibly heartening to see Secret Snowflake expand and grow over the years while truly exemplifying the holiday spirit and unparalleled compassion of New Yorkers,” said New York City Department of Social Services Commissioner Gary P. Jenkins. “This holiday season the city reached a record number of young New Yorkers in need through this initiative, and we are very grateful to NYC Service, our partner agencies, and private partners for making this possible. As this exceptional effort continues to bring joy to thousands of New Yorkers in need, we are also reminded of the vital role our communities and private partners play in supporting our vulnerable neighbors during the holidays and beyond.”
“We are thrilled that this year’s Secret Snowflake initiative delivered a record number of holiday gifts to children and teens across New York City,” said New York City Administration for Children’s Services Commissioner Jess Dannhauser. “On behalf of the Administration for Children’s Services, I want to thank Mayor Adams, NYC Service, and, of course, all of the kind-hearted New Yorkers who helped make the holiday season extra special for 5,500 young people.”
“The holiday season can be difficult for many families, and I am so touched by the immense generosity of our partners who have made the dreams of so many of our students come true,” said New York City Department of Education Chancellor David C. Banks. “The Secret Snowflake initiative embodies the New York spirit of community and has certainly brightened the season for our families.”
“ENDGBV has participated in NYC Service’s Secret Snowflake program for over 15 years,” said New York City Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence (ENDGBV) Commissioner Cecile Noel. “Our Bronx Family Justice Center Operations Manager Sandra M. Mejia directed this year’s efforts, which involved answering over 300 Secret Snowflake letters and presenting toys to 336 children across our network of borough-based Family Justice Centers. We are grateful for this wonderful program and look forward to it every year knowing how much joy and happiness it brings to survivors and their children during this season of giving.”
“The Department of Homeless Services looks forward to the Secret Snowflake initiative every year and is grateful to be a partner,” said New York City Department of Homeless Services Administrator Joslyn Carter. “This public and private partnership is rooted in care and compassion for our city’s most vulnerable youth. Reaching more families than ever before, Secret Snowflake is providing thousands of youth happiness and joy during this holiday season.”
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