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The Washington Heights Business Improvement District (BID) is no stranger to the holiday season. For years, the non-profit BID has supported local merchants by stringing holiday lights throughout the 29-block district surrounding West 181st Street, creating a festive environment to help attract shoppers.
But this year, the BID board of directors and several collaborators decided to kick it up a notch for the holidays by staging a couple of new events: a turkey giveaway held Tue., Nov. 22nd for families in need and a tree lighting for the entire community that will take place on Sun., Dec. 4th at 5 p.m.
Elba Arias, president of the BID’s board of directors and branch manager of the West 181st Street Banco Popular, said this year the holiday season feels different.
“The BID has always done the holidays, but the spirit is new this year,” she said, after helping distribute turkeys to 125 local families at her bank branch. “It’s so amazing to see these faces. It means so much to them to get a helping hand.”
The holiday spirit continues on Dec. 4 when the BID will partner with Fort Washington Collegiate Church for a public party that includes a tree lighting, caroling, hot chocolate, and more good tidings. It’s the first time anyone can remember the BID working with the church that sits at the corner of Fort Washington Avenue and West 181st Street, the western gateway to the shopping corridor.
The church has long trimmed a tree and hosted a community Christmas party on its beautifully manicured grounds. But in anticipation of luring a larger crowd this year, church leaders are buying a bigger tree, said Troy Schremmer, Collegiate’s director of education and church life.
“Let’s get some hot cocoa, sing carols, have some ‘ohhs’ and ‘ahhs’ and create a moment of friendship and peace that is supposed to be there in the season,” he said.
The church will also continue its tradition of hosting a coat drive, pairing up with VIM and Hilltop Pharmacies. Last year, Schremmer said, they distributed about 200 coats for kids and adults. (This year the last coats will be distributed at the church’s own community Christmas party on Sat., Dec. 10.)
Two businesses that each have storefronts within the BID footprint are donating to both holiday events: Metro PCS and Health Plus New York.
The wireless carrier is raffling off handsets and three free months of service at both events to help families stay in touch with loved ones.
“During the holidays, people want to be connected, it gives them something to look forward to.
They appreciate it,” said Ana Calderón Eugene of Metro PCS, which has about 15 stores in Northern Manhattan and three in the BID. “We want the community to understand that we are real people and need to keep listening to what their thoughts and ideas are.”
While this is the first time that Metro PCS has collaborated with the BID, Health Plus has long been a partner.
“It’s a good time to give back to the community,” said Health Plus’ Manny Quezada. “We get a very positive vibe from pedestrians. We educate them and ensure individuals get the proper preventative care for their health needs. Washington Heights is very receptive to the HMOs.”
During the BID’s turkey giveaway on Tue., Nov. 22, Yenica Castillo (holding Edxander Perez, 1) won a free handset and three months of service from Metro PCS, represented by marketing representative Ana Calderón Eugene, right. PHOTO: Mike Fitelson
Health Plus and Bravo supermarket on Broadway and West 181st Street both chipped in to purchase the turkeys. Snapple, Inca Kola, and State Farm Insurance also donated products or funds to the events.
The desire to start new holiday traditions grows out of last year’s change in leadership at the BID. Arias stepped in as board president around the same time that Angelina Ramirez was hired as executive director. The revitalized energy on the board has fostered a positive attitude throughout the BID.
Soledad Hiciano, executive director of the Community Association of Progressive Dominicans (ACDP), helped invite the families in need to the turkey giveaway by tapping clients in the non-profit’s food pantry, mental health services, partner schools, and day care.
She saw the turkey giveaway as an extension of the “I ♥ 181 Street” campaign launched earlier this year by the BID and Manhattan Times.
“The merchants are giving back to the community and the customers. It continues the cycle of helping out customers who help the merchants stay in business,” Hiciano said. “Now we want people to help the merchants by buying in the community so their money stays in the community.”
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Thank you to all our holiday sponsors
MetroPCS
Health Plus
Bravo Supermarket
Snapple
Inca Kola
State Farm Insurance
Banco Popular
Fort Washington Collegiate Church
ACDP
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