Aloe Blacc To Perform At Bed-Stuy Toy, Coat Drive Celebration

BED-STUY, BROOKLYN — A toy and winter coat drive in Bed-Stuy will wrap up next week with a celebration, complete with appearances by Santa and Grammy-nominated performer Aloe Blacc.

Organizers of the holiday drive, including nonprofit A Little Piece of Light, will be collecting toys and new or lightly-used winter coats through Tuesday, Dec. 7 to prepare for a Winter Wonderland distribution event on Wednesday, officials said.

The distribution — held at Premier event venue on Nostrand Avenue — will include face painting, raffles, refreshments and performances while the organizers give away the donated items to women, their families, girls, and LGBTQ individuals impacted by abuse, trauma, violence, and incarceration.

The event is free and open to the public.

“The toy and coat drive will bring much-needed comfort and happiness to those in our community who are too often overlooked and who are working hard to get back on their feet after a life of trauma incited by sexism, racism, violence, poverty, and the criminal justice system," A Little Piece of Light founder Donna Hylton said. "We encourage the community to donate what they can, and we are confident these acts of kindness will have a profound impact on someone’s life."

Those hoping to make a donation before the distribution event can drop off toys, children's books, games and winter coats to the nonprofit's storefront at 365 Marcus Garvey Blvd.

Circle for Justice Innovations and the Brooklyn Nets are also among the organizers of the holiday drive.

Here's all the details:

HOW: Through Dec. 7, Drop off your tax-deductible donations of toys, children's books, games, and lightly used winter coats at A Little Piece of Light, 365 Marcus Garvey Blvd., Bed-Stuy Brooklyn, NY 11221.

WHEN: The Winter Wonderland distribution event will be held Wednesday, Dec. 8 from 12 to 7 p.m.

WHERE: 253 Nostrand Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11205 (corner of Nostrand & Lafayette and across from the Bedford-Nostrand G stop).

WHAT: Donations will be distributed at the event to women and their families, girls, and LGBTQ individuals impacted by abuse, trauma, violence, and incarceration.

Highlights include a Santa appearance with photo opportunities, and a performance by Aloe Blacc at 1 p.m. with DJ entertainment throughout the day. There will also be new clothing giveaways, face painting, a facials & make-up station, raffles, and refreshments.

*This is a free event and open to the public. Proof of COVID vaccination or negative PCR test required for entry. Temperature checks at the door.*