Bronx Assembly Member Nathalia Fernández (A.D. 80) and her team held one of several toy giveaways which were organized by various elected officials, local community groups and police precincts, in the lead up to the holidays. The event which was held on Friday, Dec. 17, 2021, was for children in the local Norwood and Bedford Park areas, and included special guest, Santa Clause.

 

The event was held outside Lexa Express, located at 347 East 204th Street in Norwood, and the assemblywoman said she and her team of volunteers rushed to start the giveaway early, such was the line of people with kids, waiting to receive toys when they arrived to set up.

 

The holiday spirit was in the air, despite the cold, as attendees and volunteers alike geared up for the year-end holiday season and were in jovial mood. Among the helpers was Democratic State Committeewoman, Sandra Pabon, who was pictured having fun and cozying up to Santa at one point during the event.

 

Fernández was seen interacting with both kids and parents and said despite the line of people who were waiting when they arrived, her team still had some toys left over after the event which she said she would potentially donate to another toy giveaway being held the following week at the 52nd precinct.

 

Both adults and kids alike seemed to appreciate the event and happily posed for photos with Santa, though the lighting was not optimal.

 

When Norwood News spoke with other local parents at a back-to-school giveaway, sponsored by Montefiore Health System, a few months prior, at nearby Williamsbridge Oval park, some said the cost of buying various, required school supplies for their children was not always easy to cover, and could amount to between $500 and $700.

 

They mentioned that because of this, they were always grateful and happy to know of giveaways of any kind in the local area, which helped them out financially.

 

Santa was kept busy since he had just also attended a a Christmas celebration the previous day, on Thursday, Dec. 16, organized by Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie at 3551 Laconia Avenue in Williamsbridge, which also included a toy giveaway, as well as some food and drinks. That event was organized in conjunction with Gloria Bent, Harlem Holiday, NYC Health + Hospitals Test & Trace Corps and Metro Plus Health Plan.