By Bradford Cummings
More times than not when we write about an industry-related charity for our weekly feature, Good News Friday sponsored by Liberation Farm, it’s a story that tries to compel the public to give money to an underfunded cause. With so many good organizations out there, it is difficult, especially in this down economy, to find enough money to go around. So when I called Donna Chenkin, executive director of the Belmont Child Care Association in New York, to follow up on this year’s Gifts for Anna House Kids program, I was a little concerned I would be met with disappointing news.
 
To my surprise and holiday delight, what I found was exactly the opposite. Instead, this story was one that truly represented the spirit of the Christmas season. After hanging up the phone with Ms. Chenkin, the hair on my arms was standing up like it did when I was a 10-year-old trying to push past my dad on the stairs to open the presents Santa left me under the tree.
 
Individuals, Thoroughbred racing organizations and corporations from across the country came together on Dec. 12 for the eighth annual shopping day for the children of the backstretch workers at Anna House, the childcare facility located in the stable area of Belmont Park. In what may have been a sparse Christmas at best, these families became the grateful recipients of the true meaning of the holiday season.
 
A record number of children participated in this year’s event with close to a thousand all together when counting their parents and other guardians. This was clearly larger than they ever expected.
 
“Four hundred-fifty children, 90% of whom are Hispanic immigrants, ‘shopped’ for their parents and siblings. Accompanied by a volunteer, the children go into a room that resembles a department store to pick out the gifts,” said Chenkin. “Scarves, hats, gloves, infant clothing, toys and games donated by the Marines Toys for Tots Program, cosmetics, shaving kits and the latest clothing styles for teens, women and men. Volunteers wrap and tag the gifts for the children, who leave with smiles as big as Secretariat’s Belmont Stakes victory.”
 
“We were so successful this year. It was almost overwhelming to us,” said Chenkin who clearly was touched by the outpouring of aid for this special program. “It’s really blossomed.”
 
In fact, it was so successful, she admitted they would probably have to move the event next year. “It’s so big it was like Filene’s Basement in there.”
 
“It’s really become a special thing,” said Chenkin. “I always think we aren’t going to have enough but somehow we always do. People care about kids and their future.
 
“At the end of the day the volunteers, who spent many hours on their feet, were just as happy as the children knowing they are making the families’ holidays more enjoyable.”
 
Clearly, the feeling of a packed house was the only thing Gifts for Anna House had in common with Filene’s Basement. The rest was filled with the heart and soul of Americans who unconditionally care about children. That sort of giving, especially during a recession, is the epitome of what makes this time of year so special.
 
For more information about Anna House and to learn how to contribute to this and other causes supported by this incredibly important organization, visit their website here or call (516) 488-2103.

Copyright © 2009, The Paulick Report

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Tags: anna house, belmont child care association, Donna Chenkin, Gifts for Anna House, Good News Friday, liberation farm

This entry was posted on Friday, December 18th, 2009 at 7:30 am and is filed under Good News Friday. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.