The Hip-Hop Summit Youth Council and “The Shark” Daymond John Bring Christmas Joy and Awards to 675 Students at MS/PS 42 in Far Rockaway
By Charles Fisher and Randy Fisher @HHSYC
Below is the Hip-Hop Summit Youth Council’s press release for a hot year-ending Christmas Party that brought plenty of smiles and joy to the students of Far Rockaway. Last year around this time they were suffering from the devastation of Hurricane Sandy. The organization adopted the school because of their outstanding and unselfish commitment to address the needs of the community. They will be working with the principal to implement a host of projects that will address the social, recreational and academic needs of the students to help improve their literacy skills and help them graduate from school. Students will be prepared for college and career opportunities at a young age because the school services students grades K-8; so this will be a unique experience that will give the students some extra help in achieving their social, academic and financial goals in lfie.
THE HIP-HOP SUMMIT YOUTH COUNCIL, “THE SHARK” DAYMOND JOHN, NYPD, TOYS FOR TOTS, THE U.S. MARINES, STAN WEBB AND NORTH AMERICAN POWER CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS WITH OVER 675 STUDENTS AT MS/PS 42 IN FAR ROCKAWAY WITH TOYS AND COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARDS
December 30, 2013; Queens, NY—The Hip-Hop Summit Youth Council (HHSYC) and “The Shark” Daymond John, founder of FUBU and star of the ABC hit TV show “Shark Tank,” joined the NYPD, Toys for Tots, the United States Marines, Stan Webb and North American Power (NAP) to celebrate Christmas at MS/PS 42 in Far Rockaway, Queens as over 675 students from grades K-8 filled up the auditorium to be a part of the hottest Christmas party of the year. They were treated to a memorable holiday experience that will last them a lifetime as they rocked to the hot music of DJ Bam Bam. In addition to the toys, food, fun and music 10 students received the Daymond John Community Service Award for their outstanding work in their school and community.
Group shot of the kids with their awards and toys with back row L to R: Randy Fisher, Principal Finn, Principal Finn, Kerry Breitbart, Charles Fisher, Stan Webb and Domenick Propati.
Principal Finn greeted her students with a holiday message of joy and then introduced the Executive Director of the HHSYC, Randy Fisher, after telling them about the great work the group is doing in the community. Randy welcomed the students to the party telling them about the mission of the HHSYC. He acknowledged all the sponsors and guests that supported the event and then introduced Sergeant Michael of the NYPD along with a member of the Marines. They provided a holiday greeting to the students while also telling them about the free services they offer year round.
Randy then introduced Charles Fisher, the founder of the organization, who informed students that out of all the schools in NYC to throw a party, they selected MS/PS 42 because of the outstanding work Principal Finn, the PTA and the students provided during the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. He told them that the true spirit of Christmas was all about giving and that MS/PS 42 went beyond the call of duty to help the Far Rockaway community during their time of need. Charles then introduced the surprise guest, “The Shark” Daymond John, who wished them all a Merry Christmas and commended the principal and students for their work to help the less fortunate after the storm.
Principal Finn, Daymond John, Charles and Randy Fisher with Darrell Bryan, 1 of the 10 students who received an award.
Mr. John called 10 students to the stage to receive the Daymond John “Community Service Award” for volunteering their time to improve the quality of life in their school and community. Both the HHSYC and Daymond believe that giving back is the essence of Christmas and when students go the extra mile they should be recognized for their services. The holiday season is a great time to show them some love, respect and appreciation. The students were DoraLisa Paulino, Bonita Nwalozie, Darrell Bryan, Malachi Johnson, Kai Woods, Asari Hinzs, Mary Oluwuseun Odetayo, Zory McFoy, Thalia Lankford and Elijah Gonzales.
Daymond hands a toy to student in a wheelchair.
“The Shark” Daymond John stated “It gave me great joy to join the Hip-Hop Summit Youth Council, NYPD, Toys for Tots, the Marines, NAP, Stan Webb and a host of others to celebrate Christmas at MS/PS 42. Providing toys and joy to the 675 students who look forward to the holiday season was an uplifting experience for me. More importantly are the school and community service awards we gave to 10 students for their outstanding volunteer work because the true spirit of Christmas is all about giving back and helping the less fortunate. I want them to know they have my support and I hope they continue to be a beacon of light and a positive example for their peers.”
Said Principal Finn “This party was awesome and the students really had a great time. I want to thank the HHSYC, Daymond John, NYPD, Toys for Tots and the Marines for thinking about us this year and sharing the Christmas spirit with my students.”
“We appreciate the support we received from Daymond, NYPD, Toys for Tots, the U.S. Marines, Kerry Breitbart of NAP, Stan Webb, Albert Benjamin and Principal Finn for working as a team to provide MS/PS 42 students with a hot holiday Christmas Party because they really deserved it. I was in Far Rockaway after the storm last year and MS/PS 42 really stood by the community. I hope the students learned from the experience and will continue to help those in need because through the power of giving you can open up new doors of opportunity in life,” stated Charles Fisher, Founder, HHSYC.
“The spirit of Christmas was all through the house and I’m happy that the students got a chance to close out the year with this poppin’ holiday party. I want to thank our board member Daymond John, DJ Bam Bam, Steve Graham, and my camera crew Jamie Miller and Bryant Pearson. Also thanking Domenick Propati and Team FLEET members for helping us serve over 675 students. I want to send a very special shout out to NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly, Sergeant Michael, Toys for Tots and the U.S. Marines for partnering with us to make sure every student received a gift. The spirit of Christmas is all about giving and I’m appreciative of all those who helped make this event a success,” ended Randy Fisher, Executive Director, HHSYC.
Steve Graham, Sherry and Kerry Breitbart are working hard on stage handing out toys to students.
Students with their toys with U.S. Marine Rep., Sgt. Michael, Principal Finn, an NYPD officer and Randy Fisher.
**************
“The joy of Christmas could be felt all through the auditorium and it gave me great pleasure to be able to lend a hand and help these kids have a very Merry Christmas,” stated Consultant Dave Bryan.
“This was definitely a fantastic party and the kids enjoyed every second of it, I’m glad that I could be a part of a Christmas celebration that brought gifts, excitement and the holiday spirit to the students for the holiday season,” ended Stan Webb, President & CEO, Dream Catcher Wealth Management.
“I would not have missed this party for the world and I know that we made a difference to a lot of kids today. I’m looking forward to do whatever I can when school resumes to help these students take their life to the next level,” ended Domenick Propati, Founding Partner of Koplin & Propati Partners and director of Operation FLEET.
Operation FLEET Members (L-R) Sherry Ali, Jamarr Pinnock, Mike Cimato, Jaimie Walker, Daymond John, Domenick Propati, Jamie Miller and Kelly Reynolds.
“This was a great party and I’m glad that I could be a part of such a joyous Christmas celebration. At North American Power we pride ourselves on supporting community groups like the HHSYC who are performing outstanding work in their neighborhood. We are looking forward to working together to empower communities who need some support,” said Kerry Breitbart, Founder & CEO, NAP.
“It gave me great satisfaction to be a part of this Christmas celebration and to know that we brought a lot of joy to the students, as well as a valuable message about the importance and spirit of giving,” stated Steven Graham, Common Sense Self Defense.
Randy Fisher, Daymond John, Principal Finn, Charles Fisher, DJ Big B, Steven Graham and DJ Jay Money with students with toys.
“I had a great time and the students had a lot of fun dancing and singing to the hot music I was playing and taking home some nice gifts. You can bet this is a party they will always remember,” said DJ Bam Bam.
“I want to thank the HHSYC for inviting me to the event and sharing the holiday spirit with such a great group of kids. It felt really good knowing these students appreciated the hard work put into making the event a super success and they can count on me for future projects,” ended Albert Benjamin.
*
ABOUT THE HHSYC
The HHSYC was founded in July 2001 by Charles Fisher (also known as the former manager of LL Cool J, the Lost Boyz and co-discoverer of R. Kelly). The organization was created to help implement commitments made by record companies, artists, community leaders and elected officials at the historic 2001 Hip-Hop Summit in New York City. Participants are taught how to constructively use their time, talent and the Hip-Hop culture to improve social, political and economic conditions in their school, home and community. Randy Fisher is the organization’s Executive Director. For additional information, visit www.HHSYC.org.
FLEET Team Member and Stan Webb giving out toys.
Group discussion after the event (L to R) Albert Benjamin, Dave Bryan, Stan Webb, Daymond John and Kerry Breitbart.
Daymond with Sgt. Michael and a rep from Toys for Tots.
Domenick Propati directing a young girl to the toys.
