Holiday spirit was in full swing on Dec. 19 at Dyker Beach Golf Course as children and families flocked to the annual “Gift of Giving Holiday Celebration, a joyful day filled with toys, treats and holiday cheer.
At midday, a cheerful “ho, ho, ho” signaled the arrival of Santa Claus, who greeted each child, asked about their holiday wishes and presented them with a brightly wrapped gift. The celebration also included a raffle, with two students from P.S. 180, The SEEALL Academy, winning bicycles with matching helmets, alongside hundreds of other toys.
Attendees enjoyed a hot buffet featuring chicken fingers, French fries and cotton candy to add to the festive atmosphere. New York State Sen. Stephen Chan made a special appearance, assisting with the raffle and addressing the children on the importance of giving back to the community.
The 16th annual celebration was founded by the late Carlo Lenzi, former event director at Dyker Beach Golf Course, and Cynthis Felix Jeffers, president of the Brooklyn Sunset Park Lions Club. The event was designed to bring the joy and warmth of the holiday season to life. Lenzi died in Dec. 2024 — but “his legacy will live on through this beloved event, which he worked tirelessly to create and nurture,” Felix Jeffers said to Brooklyn Paper in 2024.
Organized by Gift of Giving LLC and the Brooklyn Sunset Park Lions Club, the event was supported by Michael Halkias, golf course general manager, and Marisa Breglio, regional director of American Golf Corporation, who provided the venue, refreshments and a buffet. Generous contributions also came from numerous community partners, including Dyker Beach Golf Course, Casper’s Cuts, CVS Health, Oak Street Health, Soleewavey LLC, Jetlagg LLC and more.
Students from the High School of Telecommunications Arts & Technology played a central role, collecting, wrapping and distributing more than 900 toys. Beyond the event, donations were distributed to local family shelters, the NYU Langone–Brooklyn Family Health Centers, and the community’s Three Kings Celebration.
Felix-Jeffers told Brooklyn Paper the importance of making families feel “valued, supported and celebrated.”
“Working alongside high school students and seeing the generosity of community members reinforces the importance of service and reminds us all of the impact we can make when we come together for others,” she continued. “The joy and love felt throughout the room is what make this event so special.”
