The spirit of Thanksgiving is being felt across the city as people come together to celebrate the holiday with food and camaraderie. There is also a sense of giving back as many people across the city are volunteering there time to help others.
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Millions of people lined up Thursday from the Upper West Side to Midtown to watch the 86th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Floats, marching bands, celebrities and Santa Clause will made their way through Manhattan. Giant balloons this year included Papa Smurf, Hello Kitty and Spider Man. Several celebrities made special appearances including Flo Rida, The Roots and Olympic gold medal gymnast Gabby Douglass. This year’s parade also featured the North Carolina A&T University Blue and Gold Marching Machine Band, the parade’s only Black college marching band.
Hip-hop moguls give back for Thanksgiving
Cash Money Records Co-CEOs and founders Ronald “Slim” Williams and Bryan “Birdman” Williams brought some hope to New York and New Jersey this past Tuesday. Cash Money sent a few hundred turkeys and fixings to the area. The turkeys were distributed to various neighborhoods that were harshly affected by Hurricane Sandy and the Nor’easter. Cash Money recently marked the 14th anniversary of its groundbreaking deal with Universal Music Group. Artist on the label include Lil Wayne, Drake, Jay Sean, Kevin Rudolf and Nicki Minaj.
Sens. Malcolm Smith and Jose Peralta hold turkey drive in Queens
State Sen. Jose Peralta provided hundreds of free turkeys to local churches, senior centers, nonprofit agencies and families in the Rockaways. Peralta distributed 478 turkeys, including 24 given out in Far Rockaway in coordination with the office of State Sen. Malcolm Smith. Organizations receiving turkeys include First Baptist Church in East Elmhurst, Make the Road New York, Woodside on the Move and the Corona Senior Center. Fresh Direct donated 250 of the turkeys, while Health Plus and Trade Fair donated 104 each. Food Bazaar contributed 20.
Al Sharpton’s National Action Network hosts Thanksgiving dinner
The National Action Network (NAN) partnered with Manna’s Restaurant for a free Thanksgiving dinner for the community on Thursday. The event took place at the House of Justice Auditorium at NAN Headquarters in Harlem. The event was hosted by NAN’s New York City chapter cabinet. On Tuesday, the Rev. Al Shaprton helped hand out turkeys at the annual James Brown Turkey Giveaway at the Mama Foundation in Harlem.
Northern Manhattan elected officials donate turkeys to needy families
On Monday, United Palace Cathedral, Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez, State Senator Adriano Espaillat, Assembly Woman-Elect Gabriela Rosa and Former Community Board 1 Chair Julie Menin distributed hundreds of Thanksgiving turkeys to residents of northern Manhattan. Officials said the initiative was done to bring the Upper Manhattan neighborhoods closer together during the holidays. The event welcomed the participation of the United Palace Cathedral and their pastor Jack Bomar for the first time, who provided space and more turkeys than were ever given away in the past two years. Hundreds of people turned out, mirroring the success the event has enjoyed in the past few years. United Palace Cathedral will be hosting a free Thanksgiving Day dinner on Thursday from 10am to 2pm that is open to the public.
Bronx BP lends a hand to Staten Island for Thanksgiving
On Wednesday, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. joined Staten Island Borough President James Molinaro to deliver 500 meals to victims of Hurricane Sandy in Midland Beach. After visiting Staten Island and touring Midland Beach earlier this month Diaz reached out to Goya Foods to have the cooked meals donated in time for Thanksgiving. The delivery will took place at Roma Terrace.
Council Member Jumaane Williams gives out Thanksgiving turkeys
On Tuesday, Council Member Jumaane D. Williams gave out free Thanksgiving turkeys to local residents needing assistance this holiday season. In partnership with the Flatbush Development Corporation, along with generous donations from Applebee’s, Chef’s Choice and TD Bank, he joined his office staff and youth volunteers to give out over 100 birds, purchased at BJ’s Wholesale Club in Canarsie, to members of the community. Williams distributed the turkeys, as well as other food items donated by constituents as part of his office’s canned food drive, at both the Rugby Deliverance Tabernacle and Glenwood Houses. Coordination assistance was provided by members of his youth task force, Students Taking Action Today (S.T.A.T.), his Community Volunteer Corps (CVC) and the young people of East Flatbush Village, Inc.