Stockings for a Cause is All About Kidsgiving

By Katie McFadden

The season of giving is here and while we’re ready to stuff our mouths with turkey, Rockaway is ready to stuff some stockings full of donations to build a home for a servicemember in need this holiday season. And while several bars and restaurants are participating, this year, it’s all about kids giving, as Stockings for a Cause is getting an extra boost this year with a little help from local kids, from ramping up donation efforts at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Academy to Jamesons hosting a special Stockings for a Cause and Santa Claus party for families on Saturday, December 14.

Stockings for a Cause was launched by local resident Eugene Brennan 13 years ago, first at Park Avenue Tavern, where he’s managing partner. Since then, each holiday season, bars and restaurants around New York City, including many in Rockaway, have been hanging stockings with each $25 donation. The money raised goes towards helping a servicemember in need. Last year’s Stockings for a Cause was a record setter with more than $55,000 raised for Sergeant Jason Walker of Oregon, who lost his left leg, suffered injuries to his right leg and was left with a traumatic brain injury after stepping on an IED on his third deployment in Afghanistan in 2013. The money helped in Tunnel to Towers’ effort to build Sgt. Walker a smart home to make life for him and his two kids a little easier.

Now a father of two young kids himself, with this year’s Stockings, Brennan has spent more time thinking about how to involve children in this effort, to teach them the importance of giving back to those who gave so much for this country. “Now being a dad, with a daughter in Pre-K, I see how important it is for them to all know what these guys have gone through and what they do for our country,” Brennan said. He’s also seen how important it is for there to be activities that the whole family can be involved in.

So, he’s teamed up with Jamesons to provide just that. On Saturday, December 14 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Jamesons (421 Beach 129th Street) is hosting Stockings for a Cause and Santa Claus! For a $10 donation per child, kids can enjoy free face painting by Ste.FUN.Ie Party Entertainment, arts and crafts, create their own stocking that they can hang on a tree, enjoy some free food, and get to meet Santa Claus himself and have free professional photos taken by Gina Brennan (GinaBrennanPhoto.com). Meanwhile, parents can kick back with some libations at the bar or enjoy their own meal and donate towards a stocking to help the cause if they want. “It’s affordable and family oriented and it will keep the kids active. It’s a nice little kickoff, getting the kids involved,” Brennan said.

Getting kids into the spirit began last year when St. Francis de Sales Catholic Academy became heavily involved, leading a schoolwide effort to raise money, while even selling parents stockings during parent-teacher conferences, and the stockings being used to decorate the lobby. The school was able to raise more than $2,800 alone last year. And this year, SFDSCA is jumping right back into it, sending out a call for action last week, asking each student to contribute $2 towards a stocking for their homeroom by Tuesday, December 3. They’re hoping to get 100% participation. They’ll also once again be selling stockings to parents for $25 during Report Card Conference time, and the stockings will deck the halls of SFDSCA once again.

St. Francis is also learning about this year’s honoree—United States Army Specialist, Michael Gaynor III. Specialist Gaynor, a New York City local, was injured 14 years ago during his deployment to Iraq when he was involved in a humvee rollover which left him a paraplegic. But Gaynor has used his personal story to advocate for others who are facing similar challenges. And now Tunnel to Towers is in the process of paying it forward to him, by building him a fully accessible smart home upstate so he can enhance his independence and quality of life. Stockings for a Cause 2024 will help with that mission.

For those who can’t make the Jamesons event, stop by any participating restaurant and bar through the holiday season, speak to the staff about Stockings for a Cause and donate $25 for a stocking with your name to be hung in the establishment. This year’s local businesses include Adrienne’s, Belle Harbor Yacht Club, Bungalow Bar, Happy Jack’s, Harbor Light, Healy’s, Jamesons, Kennedy’s, Knights of Columbus, La Sorrentina, Margie’s, Pico, The Sugarbowl, and The Wharf. There is also a GoFundMe, which people can donate to directly, which can be accessed by scanning the QR code in the flyer. For more information and to donate, see: www.stockingsforacause.com