Lost Battalion Hall Recreation Center

The Daily Plant : Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Derek Jeter's Turn 2 Foundation Brings Holiday Cheer To Parks Afterschool Children

Holiday excitement filled the air on December 3 as the Department of Parks & Recreation and Derek Jeter’s Turn 2 Foundation hosted the annual Holiday Express Party at Lost Battalion Hall in Queens. All the children from Parks’ Turn 2 Afterschool Programs at Jackie Robinson, St. James, St. John’s, and Sorrentino Recreation Centers joined the children from Lost Battalion Hall and the Eagle Academy, another program funded by the Turn 2 Foundation.

It was an invitation that more than 400 children could not refuse. To ensure their timely arrival, the Turn 2 Foundation arranged for police escorts for the busses transporting children to the party.

The gym at Lost Battalion Hall was packed, and the night was loaded with fun activities. The children played with a life-sized Operation game, jumped on a moon-bounce, shot baskets on an inflatable basketball court, and ran through a giant inflatable obstacle course. There were also extraordinary face painters, a balloon artist, and a yo-yo master doing amazing tricks to keep the children entertained. The Turn 2 Foundation provided food for the event, and children filled up on pizza, popcorn and soft pretzels. A DJ kept the children grooving and moving to their favorite songs.

The children were soon treated to an even greater surprise: in walked Derek Jeter and Santa! Both Santa and Derek greeted each child and distributed a Yankees backpack filled with goodies. One child even declared, “I’ll never wash my hand!” after shaking hands with the All-Star shortstop. It was an unforgettable, fun-filled evening, and the children did not want it to end.

Parks and Derek Jeter’s Turn 2 Foundation have been partners for the past 12 years. The Turn 2 Foundation has awarded an annual grant of over $300,000 to enhance the Afterschool programs at Jackie Robinson, St. James, St. John’s, and Sorrentino Recreation Centers. This funding is used for staff, supplies, trips, and to hire consultants who specialize in dance, music and the arts. In addition to the annual grant, the Turn 2 Foundation also provides the funding for the annual Holiday Express Party. Past events included an ice-skating party at Wollman Rink, a Big Apple Circus party and movie premiere. The Turn 2 Foundation has been one of our greatest, most successful partners, and we look forward to next year’s Holiday Express Party.

By Wanda Mojica and Adrienne Meryl, Central Recreation

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY
“The outdoors is what you have to pass through to get from your apartment to a taxicab.”
Fran Lebowitz
(1950 - )

Know Before You Go

Lost Battalion Hall Recreation Center