First Ever Toys for Tots ‘Winter Celebration’ Huge Success
What began as a simple jam session to raise money and toys for underprivileged children in the area transformed into a daylong “Winter Celebration” of community and the spirit of giving thanks to guitarist Bill Flash and the rest of his band. The event, which was held on Dec. 10 at the Brewster Ice Arena, netted over 500 toys and over $1,000 to donate to Toys for Tots.
“One thing led to another and it kind of expanded on it’s own,” Flash, a Patterson resident and Edward Jones financial advisor, said.
Flash and the Second Saturday Jam Club initially wanted to set up a toy drive during one of their monthly performances. An active member in the local business scene, Flash mentioned his ideas at a speed-networking event hosted by the Brewster Chamber of Commerce. Comparing the evolution of the Winter Celebration to the “Rock Soup” fable, Flash fielded suggestions from participants that include a raffle, more live music, a Santa and Mrs. Claus and free ice-skating provided by the Brewster Ice Arena.
“I started mentioning what I wanted to do to people and everybody started coming up with all of these different ideas,” Flash said. “I think one of the nicest gifts you can give to people is the gift of them being able to give—it was the quintessential win-win-win. We’re calling this the ‘first annual’ Winter Celebration.”
Throughout the day on Dec. 10, Flash and his team offered free ice-skating, face painting, music from his band and other volunteer musicians and a magician, Mike Bochar, who “wowed” the crowd. Rather than have people simply show up and donate items or money, Flash wanted the community to come together for a day of celebration, with events to keep the interest of both youth and adults flowing throughout the day.
“I wanted very much to have something for everyone so that no one would be able to say that I’m bored and I can’t even start to list all of the people and the businesses that eagerly contributed—it was so cool to just bring the rock for the rock soup,” Flash said. “It was way more than the some of the parts.”
The funds and gifts raised by those who attended will go directly back into the community. Toys for Tots encourages families to donate new items, and then pairs up with agencies to provide needy families with the opportunity to wrap their own gifts and present them to their children on Christmas. Flash hopes to continue this tradition of giving and connecting the local community through charity each and every second Saturday in December.
“My goal was not just to raise toys, my goal was to have a community family day—a day that brings community families together to have fun for a good cause,” Flash said. “It was as much for the people participating as it was for the people receiving the gifts, the toys and the money.”
Adam has worked in the local news industry for the past two decades in Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley. Read more from Adam’s author bio here.