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. 

School custodian Bill Post was determined that his union, Local 891, would grant the students at PS 188 in Coney Island the kind of holiday that all kids deserve. Each year, the union chooses a needy school and throws a party for its students. This year, the gifts came to PS 188, one of the UFT's Community Learning Schools.

There was plenty to be thankful for on Saturday, Nov. 22, when the UFT welcomed 150 children from local homeless shelters to its headquarters for its first Thanksgiving luncheon. The children — who ranged in age from 2 to 15 — left with brand-new winter coats and accessories donated by UFT members.

UFT members from MS 80 in the Bronx, who were walking in memory of a teacher who died of breast cancer in June, were among the thousands of UFT members who participated in this year’s Making Strides against Breast Cancer walk.

Students from Staten Island’s PS 50 and Gravesend’s PS 95 brightened the halls and patients’ lives at two local hospitals by donating their artwork as part of this year’s Art of Giving project.

Santa Claus left the North Pole early this year to join 200 homeless children at the best holiday party in town.

Librarian Natalie Thomas timed the annual Book Giveaway at IS 171 in Cypress Hills perfectly. The entire student body — just under 800 students in grades 6, 7 and 8 — was given a book of their own choosing to curl up with and read during the holidays.

Santa Claus left the North Pole early this year to join 200 homeless children at the best holiday party in town.

Thousands of UFT members came together in all five boroughs and Long Island on Oct. 20 for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk. Some were walking to honor one of their own. Others walked to honor their own triumphs over breast cancer.

Around 500 UFT members from Brooklyn’s District 20 — and several hundred more students and parents — turned out for the district’s annual Relay for Life event at Fort Hamilton HS in Bay Ridge on June 22.