Photo Coverage: BP Markowitz Welcomes 3,000 Kids to Receive Free Toys at Holiday Celebration

On Saturday, December 11, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and a team of 250 volunteers greeted more than 3,000 children from low-income housing and shelters throughout Brooklyn for the Best of Brooklyn annual holiday spectacular at the Christian Cultural Center. Also joining BP Markowitz were U.S. Senator Charles Schumer and Congressman Anthony Weiner.

This year's colorful and lively stage show, "All I Want for Christmas," included merry mayhem as the happy and hapless elves ran the big show, which featured the dance and step team Nubian Gents and the Feminine Fire; the Brooklyn Ballet with a scene from "The Nutcracker"; the Berean Baptist Church drumline; Brooklyn's own DEEP (seven-time winners at the Apollo Theater); contortionist Yogi Laser; balance artist LI LU; the Core Acrobats; guest appearances by Snowman; Gingerbread Man; Chrissmissy the talking Christmas Tree; the Grinch; and others.

Following the program, each child selected a new toy and new book from the gift rooms. The toys and books were generously contributed by great corporate citizens and toy drives across the borough.

Photo Credit: Kathryn Kirk