Elmont Cultural Center hosts Christmas family night

The end of the year offers the community a chance to come together to celebrate the holidays. For Mimi Pierre-Johnson, founder of the Elmont Cultural Center, and many others, it’s a time to bring families together for a good cause.

The Elmont Cultural Center hosted its second annual Christmas Family Night at the Elmont Public Library on Dec. 14. With the help of former New York Jet Greg Senat, toys were handed out to all of the children who attended.

“For me, this means that I get to see the smile on these kids’ faces when we start to give the toys out,” Pierre-Johnson said.

The first toy was given out to the child who won the musical chairs contest. Legos, Nerf toys and girls’ crafts and much more helped make the holidays brighter.

“I bought as many toys as I possibly could,” Senat said.

Senat spent a great deal of time at the Elmont Public Library in his childhood, back when it was across the street at a smaller location.

“I grew up here loving to read, loving to be in this library,” Senat said. “And being in a position I’m in now, to give back to kids; when I was their age, I wish someone came back and did stuff like this. So it just felt right.”

Pierre-Johnson was his Sunday school teacher when he was a child.

“I look at him as a model for these kids when they meet him,” Pierre-Johnson said. “He’s a football player and he’s buying toys for the kids in his community. To me, that’s what community is. Community is making it better, passing it on and giving back.”

Taqiyya Burch, who attended last year’s event, appreciates everything Senat has done.

“That’s amazing,” Burch said. “He’s from Elmont and to give back to Elmont that’s a positive thing.”

Burch’s children participated in the many activities at the Family Night, but Burch just stuck to sipping hot cocoa.

“My kids, they’re having a good time,” Burch said. “They’re playing the games. They painted ornaments. They made their cupcakes.”

The activities at Family Night included decorating cupcakes provided by Sapienza Bakery, which frequently supports community events. Another was the paint-your-own snowman ornament for people to bring home and put on their Christmas trees.

Enrica Wint also brought her children who made memories while participating in the holiday-themed activities and getting toys.

“It’s amazing,” Wint said. “I love the fact that (the Elmont Cultural Center) really work so hard to make kids happy. Not only that, but (they) do it for the community.”

Pierre-Johnson said her childhood served as inspiration as she organized the event.

“Growing up, I’ve always had a large family,” Pierre-Johnson said. “The kids were always together. Laughter and gifts. It was such a special time.”

Pierre-Johnson has been committed to bringing her community together for many years.

“When the Cultural Center started doing work in the community, I said, ‘You know, I’m gonna keep doing that. Until we have a community that’s tight again,’” Pierre-Johnson said.

Elmont Cultural Center event coordinator Tamar Bailey was the most popular person at the event as she dressed as Santa for the children..

It took nearly a dozen volunteers to put the event together along with help from the parents to make the event run smoothly.

“Everybody here is volunteering,” Pierre-Johnson said. “Parents and community people.”

Pierre-Johnson and Bailey hope to make this event a holiday tradition that will continue uniting the community.

“Maybe one day people will see this as something important they can’t wait to come to,” Pierre-Johnson said. “You can’t get mad in an atmosphere like this. To me, that’s what it’s about.”