Donation Drives - this the season to GIVE, GIVE, GIVE!
Events (including where to see Santa)
Little Essentials Donation Drive
Tis the season to give, give, give!!
PSP/ Little Essentials "Toy Box" Drive
PSP has worked with Little Essentials (LE) over their 6 year existence. The Toy Box Drive will focus on Brooklyn kids under 10.
Drop off locations include:
Goldy & Mac 396 7th Avenue (btwn 12th & 13th)
Gymboree 365 4th Avenue
NY Kids Club 125 5th Avenue
NuNu Chocolates 5th Avenue location
My Investors Bank 314 7th Avenue
South Slope Pediatrics 501 Fifth Avenue (btwn 11th and 12th)
More locations to be added… Stay Tuned!
- Toy list:
- Dolls
- Action Figures
- Dress-up sets
- Sports Equipment
- Purses and Totes Bags
- Craft Sets
- Board Games/Card Games
- Basketball/Footballs/Soccer Balls
- Puzzles
- Educational Baby Toys
- Building Blocks/ Legos
- Books for All Ages (Board, Picture, and Chapter)
- Craft & Jewelry Sets
- Art Supplies (Sketch Pads, Markers, Crayons)
- Musical Toy Instruments
They cannot accept:
- Stuffed animals
- Large Items (i.e toy kitchens, bikes)
About LE: LE improves the health, safety and wellbeing of children living in poverty by providing urgently needed resources and parenting education to families in crisis.
Sheltering Arms Toy Drive - now through December 9th
About Sheltering Arms: Sheltering Arms is a New York City-based social services agency that offers support to nearly 25,000 disenfranchised children and families throughout the city each year. Our critical programs strengthen the education, wellbeing, and development of those most in need, and through innovation and partnerships, we enable low-income children and families to take steps toward brighter futures. In Brooklyn, Sheltering Arms operates a number of Early Education facilities for families who live below the poverty live, and our high-quality programs offer a safe, supportive environment for children to help them gain the skills they will need to succeed in Kindergarten and beyond.
ONLINE WISH LIST HERE
Lantern Community Services Teen and Young Adult Gift Drive - now through December 12th
This year Park Slope Parents is teaming up with Lantern Community Serviceson a Holiday Gift Drive for teens and young adults who are impacted or threatened with homelessness. PSP has been reaching out to our TWEENS group because the folks who are in need are teens and young adults. Let's try to fulfill their wish to have 150+ gifts donated. Your kids can help pick out the gift they want to give from their wishlist here.
About Lantern Community Services: their mission is to champion the independence and well-being of New Yorkers who are impacted by or threatened with homelessness. More than 2,000 adults, children and youth call Latern's apartment buildings home. These young adults have been homeless or in foster care, and many live with mental illness, addiction, or disability. The families Latern serve struggle on very low incomes, and many of our youth don’t have families to turn to at all. This means that these teenagers and young adults often go without a gift at the holidays.
ONLINE WISH LIST HERE
CHiPS Paper Goods Drive - now through 2017!
The CHiPS Soup Kitchen serves over 200 daily. Volunteers from all walks of life work together to feed hungry neighbors. The Frances Residency Program is a transitional home for nine prenatal and postpartum homeless women and their infants. All their services are offered free of charge. They have a need for the following items to keep doing their great work:
- Sturdy paper plates
- Paper towels
- Hot cups for coffee
- Juice cups for juice
- Plastic forks and spoons
- 55 gal black garbage bags
- Bleach / Ammonia / Pine Sol
- Juice
- Sugar
- Ground Coffee
- TO GO containers
Drop Off Location/Date: 200 4th Ave (at Sackett), daily from 9am – 8pm and for more information, contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (718) 237-2962.
About CHiPS: Since 1971, CHiPS (Park Slope Christian Help, Inc.) has been a community of Brooklyn neighbors, volunteers, and friends who share a common spiritual vision to help those who are less fortunate. They prepare hot, nutritious meals and serve them to the needy in a caring and respectful environment. In addition to meals, they offer seasonal clothing, emergency pantry items, and shelter for young mothers and their children. Their dedication to service goes beyond basic needs in the hope that all our disadvantaged brothers and sisters may find independence and the strength to meet life’s challenges. All their services are offered free of charge through the generosity of our community of donors.
CHiPS Giftcard Drive for Pregnant or New Moms
Can you spare 5 (or more) bucks to a pregnant or new mom at a shelter? CHiPS is also asking for gift cards this year. To send a gift card, got to:http://bit.ly/PSPTargetGifttoCHIPS, select the amount you would like to donate and the email for delivery is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Pay (they even accept Paypal), and WHOOSH! Done—the gift card will be emailed to Denise at CHiPS and she’ll distribute equally! Denise can also send you a donation letter if need be. It took us less than 2 minutes to do this.
Sean Casey Animal Rescue Drive - (now through, well, forever....)
- What they need:
- Newspaer
- Bleach
- Winded
- Fabulouso
- Latex gloves
- Paper towels
- Regular towels, hand towels, sheets (no feathers), blankets,
- Adoptions!!!
- Pet Treats
- Cat toys
Drop Off Location/Date: 153 E 3rd St, Brooklyn, NY 11218 between 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
If you’d like to volunteer, the next orientation is December 8th 7pm (and are rotating the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month). Kids 12-16 can volunteer for small animal care. Those 16+ can walk and care for dogs.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
CHiPs Volunteer Orientation Sessions
When: December 8th at 9am & December 29th at 6pm
What: If you’re interested in volunteering (adults only) on an ongoing basis, please attend one of these orientation. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.
Ongoing:
Visits with Santa Claus
Where: Items of Interest, 60 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217
When: now - December 23, check website for times
What: Each appointment includes a five minute session with Santa Claus and lots of images sent right to your Inbox.
Cost: Photo packages run from $19.95-$39.95.
More information >
Macy’s Santa Land
Where: 8th floor of Macy's Herald Square on 34th Street between Broadway and Seventh Avenue.
When: now - December 24, 2016, times vary; please see the schedule for details. Closing time is 9pm every night through Dec. 23. Please note that Macy’s Santaland will close at 4pm (sharp!) on Christmas Eve.
What: Santa is stopping by Macy's! It's the perfect opportunity to share everything on your holiday wish list. He's only here for a limited time, so catch him while you can! Have your photo taken with the man himself! You may reserve a spot on their Express Pass line free of charge at macys.com/santaland. Reservations are subject to availability and can only be made 30 minutes to 48 hours in advance.
Cost: It’s free to visit! Professional photos are available for purchase, but they’re optional. Packages start at $20.99.
More information >
Santa Photos
Where: Kings Plaza Mall, 5100 Kings Plaza Brooklyn, NY 11234
When: now - December 24, times vary
What: Santa will be available for photos and visits at his winter home, located Upper Level, near Best Buy. Reservations available, but not required!
What PSP Members say: “Kings plaza mall last weekend and so was Santa! NO LINE! He's a great looking Santa, and they took 3 'poses' this year. My fav is one of my son whispering what he wants in Santa's ear. Great pics this year.”
Cost: Photo packages start at $34.95
More information >
Weekend: December 17 & 18
Sunday, December 18:
Sheltering Arms Gift Wrapping Party
Where: 305 7th Avenue, Floor 4 (between 27th and 28th Streets)
When: Sunday, December 18th, 12:30 p.m.
What: Are you Ready to Show your Wrapping Skills? It's that time of year again. We will wrap holiday presents for children enrolled in our programs. Enjoy light refreshments, great company, and the knowledge that you will be making the season brighter for our kids! Please bring wrapping paper (and your Holiday Hats!). To learn more about Sheltering Arms and their Holiday Gift Drive, please visit their website. RSVP HERE. Kids of ALL ages welcome!
Holiday Festibowl with the Rock and Roll Playhouse
Where: Brooklyn Bowl, 61 Wythe Avenue, Brooklyn
When: Sunday, December 18, 11am
What: Brooklyn Bowl will become it's own snow globe! There will be holiday themed photo booth, a rock band singing all the top 40 hits, and a sing-a-long with Santa, and more.
Cost: free
Be The Light Chanukah Party & Toy Drive
Where: Figtree, 87 Irving Place, Clinton Hill
When: Sunday, December 18,
What: Celebrate Chanukah with food, wine, crafts, games, a magic show. They are collecting new or gently used toys and books for children living in homeless shelters and the Brownsville Housing Projects (distributed by Bishop Billips from the Church of Faith, Hope and Charity).
Cost: free, everyone is welcome.
More information >
Chanukah Celebration
Where: Union Temple of Brooklyn, 17 Eastern Parkway Brooklyn, NY 11238
When: Sunday, December 18, 4pm
What: Join Union for the public unveiling of their National Historic Site plaque at 4:00, followed by music with DJ Daigoro, snacks and drinks for adults, kid-friendly food, edible menorah contest with prizes for both adults and children (they will provide the edibles), dreidel tournament, family heirloom menorah display (bring your family heirloom menorah to display for everyone to see). Cost: $5 single | $10 couple/family with RSVP prior to event, tickets can be purchased here in advance. Day of pricing: $10 single | $15 couple/family. Get your advance tickets HERE. Please RSVP to Mindy Sherry. More information >
Hanukkah Day of Service
Where: Congregation Beth Elohim, 274 Garfield Place,Brooklyn, NY 11215
When: Sunday, December 18, 3:00pm
What: Ideal for families with children ages 4 - 8 and special needs families, but open to all! What : Choose from two projects aimed at helping others; then stay for music and stories with Cantor Josh and Debbie Bru kman, as well as latkes and other treats! More information >
Monday: December 19th
9th ANNUAL Christmas Tots Charity Sing-a-Long
When: December 19th, 2016
Time: 10am
Where: Nonna Rosa Restaurant (140 7th ave btw Garfield & Carroll)
What to bring: $20 dollar suggested donation and a new, unwrapped present for a child.
Week of December 24 - 31
Ongoing:
Menorah Lighting
Where: Grand Army Plaza
When: every night from December 24, 2016 through December 31, times vary (check website for details)
What: At THE LARGEST MENORAH every night of Chanukah is celebrated with live music, hot latkes and gifts for the children. More information >
Tuesday, December 27
Menorah Lighting on #theother5th
Where: JJ Bryrne Playground, by the Menorah and Tree at the corner of 4th Street and 5th Ave
When: Tuesday, December 27, 2016 at 4:30pm
What: 5th Ave BID are collaborating with Lullaby Baby and Chabad Park Slope in doing their first Menorah lighting on 5th Ave. Come on down and enjoy some refreshments, get a free Chanukah toy. Thanks to The Old Stone House for supporting this event!
More information >
New Year's Eve Fireworks in Prospect Park: 150th Celebration
Where: various locations throughout Prospect Park
When: Saturday, December 31, 2016
What: Join the Prospect Park Alliance and Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams for this 37th annual fireworks celebration, this year with a twist! Help us kick off the celebration of the Park's 150th anniversary with more spectacular fireworks fun, and live entertainment starting at 11 pm. Locations for viewing the fireworks include Grand Army Plaza, the Park’s West Drive, and along Prospect Park West between Grand Army Plaza and 9th Street. RSVP to let us know if you are coming, and share your pics with hashtag #ProspectPark150!
More information >
