Second Toys for Tots in Brewster Set for Saturday
Combining a day of family fun and collecting toys for disadvantaged families, Toys for Tots in Brewster will be held for the second year in a row this Saturday, Dec. 8.
Patterson resident and Edward Jones financial adviser Bill Flash organized last year’s event along with his band the Second Saturday Band, which netted over 500 toys and raised over $1,000 for Toys for Tots. Like 2011, Flash and his team will host the Winter Celebration at the Brewster Ice Arena at 63 Fields Lane throughout the day from 12:30 to 6 p.m.
To enjoy the Winter Celebration, families are required to bring a new, unopened and unwrapped toy to be permitted entrance. Activities include ice-skating, face-painting, live entertainment, games and refreshments such as hot cocoa, coffee and snacks; there will be an open-mic hosted by two Brewster teens; Liam Lonegan and juggler Mark Stein; a magic show via Michael Bochar; and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus from 3 until 4 p.m.
Though the event’s premise is to raise funds and collect donations for Toys for Tots, the Winter Celebration sets out to bring family, friends and community members together for a day of fun amongst the holiday craze and wintery weather.
“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 in a Putnam Examiner article about last year’s Winter Celebration from December 2011. “It was as much for the people participating as it was for the people receiving the gifts, the toys and the money.”
Flash said many organizations from the Village of Brewster and the Town of Southeast will play a part in adding to the community aura sought out by event organizers.
“We like to get the whole community involved including the Boys Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H, Cub Scouts and various schools and other organizations,” Flash said.
This year’s event adds another special “local” element for families in the Brewster area affected by the recent storm.
“Although last year’s proceeds were all distributed in the Brewster area, this year we are also helping to support families in areas that were so badly affected by Hurricane Sandy,” said event co-chair and Second Saturday Band member Girl Maile of Wingdale. “So come for a good time or come for a good cause—either way, you’ll be glad you did.”
For more information about the event, visit http://www.brewstericearena.com/Special_Events or search for “Toys for Tots Winter Celebration” on Facebook.
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.
