The New Yorker Mets helped spread some holiday cheer recently when they hosted their Kids Holiday Party for more than 100 New York City students.
This marked the 25th year the Mets hosted the event. About 125 children from P.S. 173 and P.S. 24 in Flushing, P.S. 16 in Corona, P.S. 161 in the Bronx, P.S. 140 in Manhattan, P.S. 155 in Brooklyn and P.S. 18 in Staten Island were in attendance.
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“The organization is always willing to give back to the community,” said Senator Joseph Addabbo, who attended for the first time this year. “They never forget the community in which they play. That’s great to see.”
After having some lunch, the schools took turns performing Christmas carols. One school put a special spin on “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” by singing “You’ll go down in history – like the Mets.”
The excitement grew as Santa, a.k.a. David Wright, made his way to the party, joined by outfielders Jason Bay and Carlos Beltran, first baseman Ike Davis, and Mr. Met. Children lined up to get to see Santa and the players, take a photo and receive a gift.
Wright said that it felt good to dress up as Santa for the kids and that this was the second time he had done so.
“Any time I see Santa it kind of gets you in the holiday spirit, makes you think about the holiday season. That was probably my favorite time of year,” Wright said. “Just being able to see the smile on the kids’ faces and give them some high fives I think was pretty cool. It gets me in the holiday spirit and I’m sure it gets them in the holiday spirit too.”
Davis said that his favorite part of the party was getting to hand out presents to the children and “maybe make someone smile and just make their holiday season a little brighter.”
“[I] just hope they have a great time and just have fun because that’s what the holiday season is all about – learning to give back and have a great time,” Davis said.
Addabbo, who said he thought Wright was “great” as Santa, is sure this was a memorable experience for the children.
“I think it’s an event they’ll never forget as long as they live,” he said. “I know if I was their age I wouldn’t forget it.”
Addabbo also said that he is grateful that the Mets are so active in the community.
