Anonymous Donor Delivers Holiday Magic to 250 Bronx Children: Brings Wish-List Gifts, Winter Gear, and North Pole Characters
BRONX, NY — December 15, 2025 – This holiday season, 250 children enrolled at Mid-Bronx CCRP’s child care programs will experience the joy and warmth of Christmas, thanks to several unforgettable donations from an anonymous donor.
To begin, each child will receive items selected from his or her wish list, ensuring a personalized holiday experience full of meaning, excitement, and joy. Gift selections span a wide range: vet sets, cooking sets, race cars, Disney princesses, superheroes, Legos, and more.
“We are very grateful for this wonderful donation that embodies the true spirit of the holiday season,” said Widmarc Thomas, senior vice president, Mid-Bronx, CCRP. “This kind of support helps us carry forward our 30-year commitment to revitalizing our community and uplifting those we are called to serve.”
In addition to their holiday gifts, the children will also receive winter essentials such as hats, scarves, and gloves to keep them warm as they travel to and from the early learning center where they engage in a variety of fun, educational activities to prepare them for success as future Bronx residents and global citizens. Further, an additional 60 winter coats will be provided to children within families identified as having the greatest need.
Adding to the day’s excitement, Santa Claus, accompanied by a team of 15 festive characters, including elves, reindeer, and even the Grinch, will make a surprise visit, filling the school with laughter, wonder, and unforgettable holiday cheer. The North Pole brigade will spend several hours engaging with the children, creating memories they will treasure for years to come.
“This event highlights the power of community partnerships and the remarkable difference they can make for families who need our support most,” said Leisa Premdas, Ed.D., director of education services, Mid-Bronx CCRP. “These children will leave with happy memories and a clear message: They are valued. They are loved. They matter!”
Three-year-old Carolina, a Head Start participant at Mid-Bronx CCRP brought this sentiment to life when she exclaimed: “Santa really came!”
Located on the lower level of the historic Andrew Freedman Home, Mid-Bronx Comprehensive Community Revitalization Program (CCRP) Early Childhood Center (ECC) is a trusted NYCEEC early childhood education provider dedicated to providing high-quality learning and family support services to young children (ages two to five) across the Bronx.
A guiding presence in the community for over 30 years, Mid-Bronx CCRP is celebrated and even sought after for the intentional inclusiveness of its staff and student body and its commitment to educational excellence and support services.
