Photo of the Month: This Smile Brought to You by the Holiday Drive!

There is so much to love about this photo, we don’t know where to start!

Pictured here is first-grader Matthew. This is his first year as a participant at our COMPASS Afterschool Program at P.S. 223 in Jamaica, Queens. You may think that all Matthew wanted for Christmas were his two front teeth. But, as an avid Lego builder, he also wished for a new Lego set. That’s where our Child Center of NY supporters come in! Through The Child Center of NY's Holiday Drive, 14,000 children like Matthew received a longed-for gift this year, including 185 children in Matthew’s afterschool program.

Every dollar donated to the Holiday Drive went directly toward purchasing gifts. We send our heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to the effort and brought to life so many smiles like Matthew’s!

We’re not sure when Matthew’s two front teeth are coming in (we love the current look!), but we can tell you the gift that brought this smile to his face: a Lego Speed Champions car set!

Editor’s note: While this year’s Holiday Drive has ended, you still can make a difference in the lives of children and families by supporting our programs, which operate year-round to ensure New Yorkers have the resources to reach their full potential. Learn more about our programs and services and what your support makes possible!