Once again, the Untermyer Performing Arts
Council held its annual tree lighting and evening
of holiday songs Dec. 1 at Untermyer Park, continuing
UPAC’s decades-long tradition of hosting
community tree lightings and bringing musical
entertainment to the park.
Deputy Mayor Levy, Assemblywoman Mayer, and City Councilmembers Johnson, Breen and Sabatino passed on their holiday greetings to the more than 200 people gathered at the park, as did Councilmembers-Elect Rubbo and Merante.
The outdoor ceremony was capped off with long-time supporter Kevin Walsh lighting the community tree, and – perhaps most exciting part of the evening – a visit from Santa Claus. After the outdoor festivities, the entertainment moved inside for hot chocolate and refreshments.
The business was inducted into the city’s Healthy Access to Foods Hall of Fame. This effort is part of a “Creating Healthy Schools and Communities” five-year grant received by the Nepperhan Community Center from the New York State Department of Health, in conjunction with the City of Yonkers, YMCA of Yonkers, local elected officials and various community stakeholders.
The grant is designed to help fight obesity, as three out of 10 students in the Yonkers Public School District are overweight or obese and there are significant rates of chronic diseases among the general population.
“We are pleased to work with Mayor Spano, recognizing community retail establishments that promote access to healthy foods including supermarkets, corner stores, farmers’ markets and community gardens,” said Dr. Jim Bostic, executive director of the Nepperhan Community Center
The Yonkers Police Athletic League held its
28th annual holiday party Dec. 3 at the Walshin
Center. Every year, more than 300 children and
adults with special needs from Yonkers and the
surrounding area visit PAL with their friends and
families for a day of holiday fun.
Thanks was expressed to Giulio’s Restaurant, Santos Brothers Bakery and Farmers Choice for providing food for the day. Santa Claus came down from the rooftop of the Walshin Center and gave everyone a gift, courtesy of the PAL.
Santa heard many requests for gifts, including a video game, radio and watch. Several of the requests touched Santa’s heart: One special-needs adult asked for peace on Earth, and another asked for her family to be safe this holiday season. Several others asked for nothing more than to be at the party.
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