Christmas came early this year for 127 homeless children as they arrived for a holiday party thrown by the UFT and the Coalition for the Homeless at union headquarters on Saturday, Dec. 13.

The children knew they were in for a treat as they entered the festively decorated room, heard the music and were greeted by volunteers dressed in red or green. They immediately took to the dance floor or dashed off to the many activities and games awaiting them.

“I won!” said one boy, who was playing the game of Trouble with literacy coach Shannon Nilan of PS 294 in the Bronx.

“I heard about this at one of our UFT meetings and said to myself, ‘I want to volunteer.’ I’m so happy I did,” Nilan said.

The coalition estimates that more than 25,000 children — many of whom are public school students — will be sleeping in New York City homeless shelters this holiday season.

For the younger children, Santa’s arrival was a highlight of the day; a line quickly formed to sit on his lap and share a conversation.

Eleventh-graders from Queens Vocational and Technical HS were on hand to give manicures, paint faces (themes from “Frozen” and “Spider-Man” were the most popular), and make animal and sword balloons.

“When they realized that the kids are coming from shelters, I had to turn students away, so many wanted to do it,” said Andrea Lingstuyl, a cosmetology teacher at the school.

Among the manicurists creating beautiful designs based on each child’s fancy, 11th-grader Melissa Alvarado noted that she has participated in other events with the UFT. “I really like volunteering, helping out and having fun,” she said.

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Jonathan Fickies

The children also had the chance to dance and have their photos taken with Elsa from “Frozen.” They watched intently as the Polaroid images materialized and then they decorated the frames for the photos.

“It’s wonderful to be here today,” said volunteer Joanne Bullaro, a physical education teacher and the chapter leader at PS 100 in Brooklyn. “The kids are just having a blast, and it’s so nice to see them smile.”

As the students prepared to leave, each child received his or her name written graffiti-style by the talented crew of former grafitti writers who now mentor youths and show them positive channels for their art.

Each child also received two gifts, many of which had been donated and wrapped by UFT members and staff.

For UFT Vice President Karen Alford, the party organizer, the annual event epitomizes what the season is all about.

“Seeing the children’s excitement puts me — and I think all of us — in touch with the joy of giving, the real joy of the holidays,” Alford said.

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