Red Hook Collective hosts huge party at the Rec Center, by Nathan Weiser

The second annual Christmas Jamboree organized by Red Hook Collective and New Leader Hoops happened in the evening at the Red Hook Rec Center on December 15.

Each child got to take home one present from the Jamboree. The wide range of gifts at the event attended by hundreds included: baby dolls, scooters, bikes, speakers, headphones, teddy bears, spider man action figures, marvel toys, books and different kinds of toys.

According to Andre Richey, who is a co-owner of Red Hook Collective and owner and co-founder of New Leader Hoops, there were over 500 families at the event and they gave away over 500 presents to the kids. Councilwoman Aviles donated a few toys for the kids as well.

“Everyone went home happy, Richey said. “Everyone went home full. It was a great turnout and everyone was safe. And we look forward to doing it again.”

Richey’s organization, Red Hook Collective, provided the gifts for the event. A local sorority that Richey partners with also donated money to help get shirts for the event.

1 Stop Shop Printing, which is located in Dumbo, printed out the shirts for the event. They gave shirts, hats and headbands to as many kids as they could.

“We gave away 275 to 300 coats from a local organization I also partner with called Get, Give Teach,” Richey said. “They had coats donated to the community at the event.”

There was plenty of food. Mark’s Pizza on Van Brunt Street donated 30 boxes of pizza as well as  money to Richey’s organization and McDonald’s gave 100 burgers to the event.

There were about 100 more people at this year’s Jamboree event than last year, which the Collective also organized. Also, 200 people pledged new memberships.   

“This year, there was a line outside,” Richey said. “People were lined up early. We partnered with more outside organizations this year. We had more food provided and more giveaways.”

The organizer thanked NYC Parks and the Red Hook Recreation Center for being a big part of the event. Last year’s Jamboree took place at the Miccio Center.

Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, the Joseph Addabbo Family Health Center, the Infant Safe Sleep Initiative, NYU Langone Family Health Center, the Red Hook Library and BumbleBeesRus all had tables with information in the gym during the Jamboree.

The kids got to play games in the gym while music was playing during the event. Also, Santa took pictures with kids at the Jamboree.

Nathan Weiser