The UFT, in partnership with the Coalition for the Homeless, hosted its annual holiday toy drive and celebration on Dec. 13 for students living in temporary housing in New York City. The students enjoyed a variety of crafts and games, as well as face-painting, henna hand art, a magic show and a visit from Santa. And thanks to the generosity of UFT members, the union was able to distribute more than 1,500 toys to public school students throughout the city.

Food pantries run by schools in the UFT’s United Community Schools network are lifelines for hundreds of needy families across New York City. The need was especially felt in late fall as a federal government shutdown delayed SNAP benefits for many and a surge in ICE detentions made immigrant populations wary.

About 150 students living in temporary housing enjoyed a day of crafts, games, face-painting and fun at UFT headquarters on Nov. 22 to celebrate Thanksgiving and receive new winter gear courtesy of UFT members’ generosity. Headed by the UFT’s Middle Schools Division, the event provided each student with a new winter coat, a pair of gloves or mittens, a scarf and a hat to keep them warm in the coming winter months.