The New York City Children’s Holiday Party (NYCCHP) is dedicated to bringing the joys of the holidays to children living in New York City’s homeless shelters, and we were proud to continue our tradition for the 20th year!
Be part of the magic — share the joy!
Please support us:
100% of your donation goes directly to the children.
Currently there 63,000 homeless people living in about 150 shelters in New York City, of which 20,500 are children.
In addition to sharing the joys of the holidays, we strive to introduce each child to new experiences and to broaden his or her horizons, hoping to spark a yearning for and a determination to create a better situation.
OUR CELEBRATIONS
During the past two years, in lieu of treating the children to Broadway, we provided the children with much needed supplies, including essential provisions, sanitary and basic hygiene products, and educational/recreational items during the citywide shut-down.
Prior to the pandemic, in December 2019, NYCCHP took 500 children living in more than 20 of NYC’s homeless shelters to the IMAX Theater at AMC Lincoln Square to see Frozen 2! In 2018 we took 900 children from 30 New York City homeless shelters to see King Kong at the Broadway Theatre and gave each one dinner and gifts from Santa.
In 2017 we treated 700 children to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. In addition to a backpack & educational supplies, every child was given a jumbo chocolate bar by Santa — and, of course, a Golden Ticket!
Aladdin‘s Tony-winning genie James Monroe Iglehard with Surya Garg, Manager of Youth Volunteers
In 2003, we launched our first event at Trinity School with an afternoon of fun and games that included a performance by the Dance Theatre of Harlem. Since then, each year we have taken hundreds of children to venues such as the Big Top of the Big Apple Circus and under the lights of Broadway at Lion King, Mary Poppins, Bring It On, Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, Wicked and Aladdin the Musical.
Why We Do This
New York City is a melting pot and we proud New Yorkers come from not only different parts of the United States but also from all over the world. The holiday season and its celebration in New York brings us all together as one happy family. Although each of us strives to support and help the communities we come from, as New York citizens we cannot ignore those who are the most vulnerable amongst us. These are the homeless children of New York City. How can we ignore these children in our very own backyard who need us the most?
For insight into the lives of the children in the city’s homeless shelters, see Andrea Elliot’s clear-eyed yet heart-wrenching December 2015 5-part series in The New York Times, Invisible Child (December 2015), accompanied by Ruth Fremson’s remarkable photographs. Being able to give children like Dasani one night of pure fun reminds all of us what the holidays are truly about.
Please join us in creating wondrous moments for theses beautiful children of New York City.
100% of your donation goes directly to the children.
The New York City Children’s Holiday Party Inc. is a tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3). Our organization is 100% volunteer-run.