What a Wonderful Year: 2021 Recap!
While we are planning some fantastic events for 2022– some new, and some familiar– we could not leave our supporters hanging without a look back on the past year.
Keep reading to hear about some of the exciting things our Felix kids did in 2021!
Billion Oyster Project (November 9, 2021)
Through our Camp Felix Road Trips program, The Felix Organization sends teens in foster care on a series of day trips to unique destinations, mostly in natural settings outside of New York City. For the first time ever, this year we extended our Road Trips Program into the Fall months. On November 9th, we held a field trip to the Baylander Field station with The Billion Oyster Project. There, the kids learned about the native oyster population in New York City’s waterways and had a chance to dig in the mud and interact with the oysters. They also learned about how to conserve oysters to benefit our environment!
Who Is Christmas Eve Film Premier (November 13, 2021)
On November 13, we sent a group of 30 young people from Mott Haven Academy Charter School to the film premiere of "Who Is Christmas Eve", a feel-good holiday movie that tells the story of a young woman searching for her birth parents. With the help of our dear friend and the film’s Producer, Pamela Slaton, we were able to send our kids on a private charter bus with a pizza party and treats from the concession stand.
The film is inspired by Slaton’s real-life work as an investigative genealogist reuniting adoptees with their birth families and features a special cameo by our one and only Darryl ‘DMC’ McDaniels! At the end of the night, each child received a goody bag with a gift card, popcorn, and candy, and enjoyed an appearance by one of the film’s stars, Romeo Miller! I think it’s safe to say they had an awesome time.
Ice Skating at Wollman Rink (November 18, 2021)
In early November, we sent a group of kids from Haven Academy on yet another field trip with a day of ice skating at Wollman Rink in Central Park! 50 kids were able to come out for skating, eating, and a live performance by DMC! They even learned a special dance called the “Wollman Wobble” taught by one of Beyonce’s dance captains. It was many of our kids' first time on the ice; one of the kids had just moved to the United States, and this was her first time ever skating as well! It was awesome to see them enjoy a new and fun experience.
Thanksgiving Meal Delivery (November 21, 2021)
On November 21st, The Felix Organization sponsored a delivery by Hill Country Barbecue Market restaurant of 100 delicious Thanksgiving meals including mac and cheese, cornbread, and turkey to the teens at a Good Shepherd Services residential home in NYC. We hope to be back in person at Hill Country BBQ for our Thanksgiving Feast-ival next year, but we are grateful to everyone who made this distribution possible. Our kids thoroughly enjoyed a special feast for their Thanksgiving holiday!
Radio City Christmas Spectacular (December 8, 2021)
On December 8th, The Felix Organization sent a group of 50 kids and families from the Haven Academy Charter School to enjoy the magic of the Radio City Christmas spectacular for the first time since 2019. We are grateful to have been able to provide this special NYC tradition to our youth and their families once again!
Camp Felix West Winter Pop-Up Camp (December 11, 2021)
On December 11th in California, our west-coast partner Happy Trails for Kids hosted a pop-up winter day camp for youth in foster care! Participants were able to eat, participate in games and activities, craft some cool art, receive gifts, and so much more. It was awesome to be able to put a smile on our kids’ faces and start their holiday season off with some fun. Big thanks to our Jr. Board members Dan Wonderly and Candi Marie for volunteering to make this day a special one for the kids!
Level Up Conference (December 11, 2021)
On December 11th, over 75 youth in foster care from across the country joined us on Zoom for the first annual Level Up Conference hosted by The Felix Organization, Music Is Unity, and The Purple Project. Attendees joined workshops covering a variety of topics from recognizing healthy relationships and practicing self-care to goal-setting and managing doctor visits. It was an inspiring afternoon with many great connections made. We are grateful to our presenters and team members who made this possible, and we can’t wait for the next one!
Secret Santa/Toy Party
On December 12th, we were overjoyed to return to the Robby Browne/SAGE USA Toy Party hosted at Chelsea Piers IN-PERSON! Many generous Secret Santas brought toys that will be distributed to our kids for the holidays. We are so grateful to be included in this magical event every year.
Overall, over 100 generous Felix Secret Santas raised over $33K to provide gift cards and special gifts for children in foster care in December. We are so grateful for our community that makes this possible each year.
We had a very eventful and exciting 2021, and it would not have been possible without YOU, our Felix friends and supporters. Stay tuned for what we have up our sleeves in 2022!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
