DE BLASIO ADMINISTRATION AND PARTNERS TO GIVE 3,700 NEW YORK CITY YOUTH GIFTS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

 

The holiday initiative led by NYC Service, in collaboration with other City agencies, leverages City government volunteers and private sector partnerships to distribute gifts citywide

Mayor Bill de Blasio and Chief Service Officer Laura Rog today announced that holiday wishes for more than 3,700 New York City children and youth were fulfilled by more than 2,000 volunteers from City government, including the Mayor, and the private sector through the seventh annual Secret Snowflake gift-giving initiative.

 

“Secret Snowflake is a testament to the giving spirit and generosity of New Yorkers. The holidays can be a difficult time for the young people of our city, but New Yorkers have shown once again how powerful we are when we work together to help those that need us," said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “I want to thank the tremendous effort of all the volunteers, City agencies and businesses that donated gifts to the youth and children that need them the most.”

 

Secret Snowflake mobilizes City and private sector employees as volunteers to answer letters from children and youth referred by City agencies. Since 2014, Secret Snowflake has answered the holiday wishes of more than 19,000 New York City children and youth, ranging in age from one month to 18 years old.

 

“2021 has presented another year of extraordinary challenges, and NYC Service is proud to support youth and their families and caregivers again this holiday season,” said Chief Service Officer Laura Rog.  “We appreciate the continued commitment from our business partners and City staff in answering more than 3,700 letters this year, and the generosity they have displayed once again. Our city is at its best when residents come together to support each other, and their volunteer efforts are especially important this time of year.”

 

NYC Service partnered with the Administration for Children's Services (ACS), the Department for the Aging (DFTA), the Department of Education (DOE), the Department of Homeless Services (DHS), the Human Resources Administration (HRA), the Department of Veterans’ Services (DVS) and the Mayor's Office to End Gender-Based Violence (ENDGBV) to collect letters from children and youth served by their agencies before the holiday season. Secret Snowflake letters typically request necessities, such as clothing, shoes, or a warm coat to get through the winter, as well as toys, books, and other game-based activities.

 

“The Secret Snowflake initiative is a true example of the spirit of giving and this holiday season thousands of New York City children will be able to have a wonderful, memorable gift thanks to the incredible collaboration and generous donations of kind hearted New Yorkers,” said Administration for Children’s Services Commissioner, David A. Hansell. “I want to thank Mayor de Blasio, NYC Service and everyone who made this year’s Secret Snowflake possible for many children served by ACS.” 

 

“This holiday season I am thankful to be a part of such a giving and close-knit community,” said Deputy Chancellor of School Climate and Wellness, LaShawn Robinson. “Secret Snowflake is a reflection of the heart of New York City which is large and overflowing with generosity, especially when it comes to our children. I extend my gratitude and heartfelt thanks to all of the individuals, organizations, and companies who made this initiative possible. Your dedication to our city and youth deserves to be celebrated.”

 

“This is the Department for the Aging’s third consecutive holiday season with the NYC Service Secret Snowflake initiative, which has helped us provide gifts to hundreds of kinship families and their children,” said Department for the Aging Commissioner, Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez. “This year, our Grandparent Resource Center, which supports grandparent caregivers who care for young children and help keep families united, partnered with the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice and the NYC Police Department to distribute nearly 500 gifts to families.  This is more than a 75% increase from last year. We are grateful to AlphaSights, Company Ventures, Sinpulse  and Minute Media who responded to 160 letters and 87 e-Gift card submissions received from our kinship caregivers and generously provided gifts.”

 

“Secret Snowflake embodies the compassion of our City during the holidays, bringing communities across the five boroughs together to support children and families in need,” said Department of Homeless Services Administrator, Joslyn Carter. “We are proud to once again join NYC Service, our sister City agencies, and private partners in supporting this great initiative, which will bring joy to hundreds of children experiencing homelessness during this holiday season.”

 

“New Yorkers always come together in challenging times, and Secret Snowflake is a perfect example of the big-hearted generosity of our city’s residents and businesses,” said Department of Veterans’ Services Commissioner, James Hendon. “We are appreciative of NYC Service and our private partners in helping to provide a happy holiday for the children of our Veterans and military community.”

 

New York City's private sector is a major contributor to Secret Snowflake. This year, employees from 25 NYC businesses responded to Secret Snowflake letters. NYC Service supplemented their gifts with donations from small and large businesses across the city, valued at nearly $21,000. AlphaSights donated $4,999 and Miller Druck provided crucial storage facilities for this year’s initiative.

 

2021 Secret Snowflake Business Volunteers:

●    SL Green

●    Brookfield Properties 

●    Chanel 

●    AXIS Capital 

●    Neuberger Berman 

●    NYTimes 

●    Revlon 

●    Turner Construction Company

●    Deutsche Bank 

●    A&E Television Networks 

●    Macy’s 

●    J Crew 

●    AlphaSights

●    American Airlines

●    Citi

●    Company

●    Extend Enterprises Inc.

●    Holt Construction

●    January Digital

●    Loring Consulting Engineers, Inc.

●    Prudential Private Capital

●    Sard Verbinnen

●    Sony

●    SoundPoint Capital

●    A&E Networks

 

2021 Secret Snowflake In-Kind Partners

●     Greenlight Bookstore

●     HarperCollins Publishers

●     Oracle

●     Miller Druck

●     Synpulse

●     Books Are Magic

 

“The opportunity to share joy during the holidays has become a special tradition at Company Ventures,” said Lindsay Siegel, Head of Impact at Company Ventures. “We look forward to participating in Secret Snowflake each year, offering the startups in our tech community the chance to give back to our city, thanks to NYC Service!”

 

“Each year Prudential Private Capital has the opportunity to partner with an outstanding charitable organization, and we’re grateful to NYC Service and the Mayor’s Office for our participation in Secret Snowflake this year,” said Engin Okaya, Managing Director at Prudential Private Capital. “Our team always looks forward to the opportunity to bring others joy and happiness during the holidays, which has become a welcomed tradition for the New York office of Prudential Private Capital. We particularly appreciate being able to do so this year as COVID-19 continues to impact us and our communities. We fully support organizing this opportunity and giving us the chance to embrace the true spirit of the season of giving and to help those most in need in New York City.”

 

“As a homegrown New York City company, SL Green is committed to enhancing and contributing to the local communities where we live, work, and operate,” said Laura Vulaj, Senior Vice President, Director of Sustainability & Hospitality at SL Green Realty Corp. “We recognize the importance of making a meaningful impact during this time of need.  We are proud to partner with NYC Service for the fourth consecutive year and positively impact the lives of New Yorkers this holiday season.”

 

“As a partner of NYC Service for many years, Citi is thrilled to join Secret Snowflake this holiday season,” said Stephanie Hochman, Lead, Citi Volunteers. “Engaging our colleagues in activities that help give back and bring joy to others is central to the spirit of Citi volunteerism, particularly after a year of continued challenges around COVID-19. Citi thanks NYC Service and the Mayor’s Office for organizing this opportunity and for their continuous efforts to make a positive impact on the lives of our city’s most vulnerable populations.”

 

MAYOR BILL DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES SCALED BACK NEW YEAR’S EVE TIMES SQUARE CELEBRATION

 

Outdoor event will take place with additional health & safety measures in place

 Mayor de Blasio today announced details for a scaled back Times Square New Year’s Eve, with additional protections in place to ensure a safe celebration. In addition to requiring proof of full vaccination with valid photo identification and being fully outdoors, attendees will also be required to wear masks. Viewing areas will be filled with fewer people to allow for social distancing.

Made in consultation with health and medical experts, these additional safety measures will keep revelers safe and healthy as they ring in the New Year. The City, in partnership with Times Square Alliance will continue to monitor the situation and take additional precautions and measures in the coming days if needed.

 

“New Yorkers have stepped up tremendously over the past year—we are leading the way on vaccinations, we have reopened safely, and every day we work toward building a recovery for all of us,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “There is a lot to celebrate and these additional safety measures will keep the fully vaccinated crowd safe and healthy as we ring in the New Year.”

 

“New York is the best place in the world to celebrate New Year’s Eve and now it will be one of the safest against COVID as well,” said Mayor-elect Eric Adams. “The Mayor has made the right move to take precautionary measures as we learn to live with COVID and fight the Omicron variant—and New Yorkers and visitors alike can now enjoy Times Square and the rest of our city as we ring in 2022.”

 

“This year’s holiday season may not be the one we had hoped for, but we can still have a happy holiday season,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Dave A. Chokshi. “All New Yorkers should get vaccinated and boosted as soon as possible. Wear a quality face mask and stay home if you’re feeling sick, no matter how mild your symptoms.”

 

“We applaud the leadership of Mayor de Blasio in finding a way to welcome revelers into Times Square on New Year's Eve in an even safer way than we originally planned,” said Tom Harris, President of the Times Square Alliance.  “This year revelers will be fully vaccinated, masked, and we will have reduced occupancy in the viewing areas. We understand that everyone will not be able to be here but welcome them to experience New Year's Eve in Times Square from our live webcast, on one of the networks or on the VNYE app.”

 

Normally hosting approximately 58,000 people in viewing areas, this year’s celebration will host approximately 15,000 people, and visitors won’t be allowed entry until 3:00 PM, much later than past years. The health and safety of every guest is the priority of Times Square New Year’s Eve 2022.

 

Vaccination Policy for Times Square New Year’s Eve

 

The Times Square New Year’s Eve organizers will require full vaccinations for all in-person revelers. “Fully vaccinated” means that on the date of December 31, 2021, a reveler is at least 14 days after their second dose of a two dose COVID-19 vaccine OR at least 14 days after their single dose of an approved single dose COVID-19 vaccine.

 

Attendees who are age 5 or over must present proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter the event. Proof of vaccination must include a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or World Health Organization (WHO) approved COVID-19 vaccine. These are Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca/Oxford, Sinopharm or Sinovac.

 

Unvaccinated minors under the age of 5 must be accompanied by a vaccinated adult to enter the event. The vaccinated adult must present proof of a Food and Drug Administration or World Health Organization approved COVID-19 vaccine. These are Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca/Oxford, Sinopharm or Sinovac. Face coverings are required for unvaccinated minors who are medically able to tolerate a face-covering.

 

Persons who are unable to get vaccinated because of a disability will be required to present proof of a negative COVID PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test taken within 72 hours prior to the event

 

Please visit TSQ.org/FAQ for more answers to frequently asked questions.  

 

How to Watch Times Square New Year’s Eve

The Times Square New Year’s Eve commercial-free webcast will cover the action and festivities in Times Square, beginning with the Ball Raising at 6 p.m. EST, plus live musical performances, hourly countdowns, behind-the-scenes stories, and star-studded interviews as anticipation builds towards the midnight countdown and the famous Ball Drop. The webcast will be streamed live on multiple websites, including TimesSquareNYC.org, NewYearsEve.nyc, LiveStream.com/2022 and TimesSquareBall.net. Embedding codes and additional webcast info is available at: https://www.timessquarenyc.org/times-square-new-years-eve/nye-live-webcast or LiveStream.com/2022.

 

Additionally, Jamestown, the owner of One Times Square – home of the iconic New Year’s Eve Ball Drop Celebration – will bring back its virtual New Year’s Eve experience with the VNYE app. Through the VNYE app, people from across the globe can explore the virtual world of Times Square, play games, and livestream New Year’s Eve celebrations in Times Square and around the world. In 2020, the VNYE app reached more than 3.7 million people worldwide.

 

A number of broadcast networks will be airing elements of the Times Square celebration. 

Info for the Times Square New Year’s Eve television broadcast pool feed is available at https://www.timessquarenyc.org/times-square-new-years-eve/media-press/new-years-eve-pool-feed-information

Governor Hochul Signs Package of Legislation to Address Discrimination and Racial Injustice

 

Legislation S.2987-A/A.5679 Declares Racism a Public Health Crisis

Legislation S.70-A/A.2230 Enacts the Hate Crimes Analysis and Review Act

Legislation S.6639-A/A.6896-A Requires Collection of Demographic Data by State Agencies, Boards, Departments and Commissions

Legislation S.1451-A/A.191 Requires a Health Equity Assessment to be Filed with an Application for Any Project that will Affect a Hospital's Health Care Services

Legislation S.4716-A/A.6215 Requires the Advisement of the Implementation of Language Translation Technology

Legislation S.4316/A.4572 Relates to the Screening of Newborns for Certain Diseases and Conditions

 Governor Kathy Hochul signed a package of legislation aimed at addressing discrimination and racial injustice. Legislation S.2987-A/A.5679 declares racism a public health crisis. Legislation S.70-A/A.2230 enacts the hate crimes analysis and review act. Legislation S.6639-A/A.6896-A requires the collection of certain demographic data by certain state agencies, boards, departments, and commissions. Legislation S.1451-A/A.191 requires a health equity assessment to be filed with an application for any project that will affect a hospital's health care services. Legislation A.1451-A/A.6215 requires the New York State Office of Technology Services to advise all state agencies in the implementation of language translation technology. Legislation S.4316/A.4572 expands the list of diseases for which a newborn can be screened in order to include conditions more prevalent in newborns from the Middle East, Africa and Southeast Asia.

"For far too long, communities of color in New York have been held back by systemic racism and inequitable treatment," Governor Hochul said. "I am proud to sign legislation that addresses this crisis head-on, addressing racism, expanding equity and improving access for all."

Legislation S.2987-A/A.5679 declares racism a public health crisis and establishes a working group to promote racial equity throughout the State of New York.

Legislation S.70-A/A.2230 enacts the hate crimes analysis and review act, specifying the collection and reporting of certain demographic data regarding the victims and alleged perpetrators of hate crimes.

Legislation S.6639-A/A.6896-A requires the collection of certain demographic information by certain state agencies, boards, departments, and commissions in order to keep a more accurate and relevant public record of Asian-American populations in New York.

Legislation A.1451-A/A.6215 requires the New York State Office of Technology Services to advise all state agencies in the implementation of language translation technology. This will ensure agency websites are translatable into the most common non-English languages spoken by New Yorkers.

Legislation S.1451-A/A.191 requires a health equity assessment to be filed with an application for any project that will affect a hospital's health care services.

Legislation S.4316/A.4572 expands the list of diseases and conditions for which a newborn can be screened. Adrenoleukodystrophy and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, conditions that are predominantly found in newborns from the Middle East, Africa and Southeast Asia, will be added to the list of required conditions that all newborns are screened for.