{"id":529119,"date":"2022-12-19T03:27:07","date_gmt":"2022-12-19T00:27:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/mta-workers-help-spread-holiday-cheer-for-kids-on-staten-island\/"},"modified":"2022-12-19T03:27:07","modified_gmt":"2022-12-19T00:27:07","slug":"mta-workers-help-spread-holiday-cheer-for-kids-on-staten-island","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/mta-workers-help-spread-holiday-cheer-for-kids-on-staten-island\/","title":{"rendered":"#MTA workers help spread holiday cheer for kids on Staten Island"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a33bddcc7d83\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a33bddcc7d83\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/mta-workers-help-spread-holiday-cheer-for-kids-on-staten-island\/#%E2%80%9CMTA_workers_help_spread_holiday_cheer_for_kids_on_Staten_Island%E2%80%9D\" >&#8220;MTA workers help spread holiday cheer for kids on Staten Island&#8221;<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%E2%80%9CMTA_workers_help_spread_holiday_cheer_for_kids_on_Staten_Island%E2%80%9D\"><\/span>&#8220;MTA workers help spread holiday cheer for kids on Staten Island&#8221;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<div>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module alignleft\">\n        <\/aside>\n<p>The MTA and a local charity teamed up to make sure kids stuck in a hospital bed around Christmas got a boost in holiday spirit \u2014 and a visit from Santa Claus \u2014 during a gift-giving tradition that\u2019s spanned three decades.<\/p>\n<p>An MTA bus was transformed into Santa\u2019s mobile workshop, rolling up to two hospitals in Staten Island on Friday, delivering gifts to sick kids in need of holiday cheer. MTA workers had a major role in lifting the children\u2019s spirits, with an assist from the non-profit Kids Against Cancer, as they handed out early Christmas gifts at Staten Island University Hospital and Richmond University Medical Center.<\/p>\n<p>MTA workers from four bus depots bought about $20,000 in gifts this year with the help of two local schools, while crews spent weeks before the big day decorating the bus with Christmas lights and ornaments. <\/p>\n<p>One little girl had a smile from ear-to-ear when Santa, who is an MTA bus driver dressed in red with a big white beard, made an <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">app<\/a>earance at Staten Island University Hospital Friday. Lanika Khan, only 6-years-old, couldn\u2019t hold back her excitement as Santa told stories and handed out gifts.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/mta-toy-drive-2.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"Six-year-old Lanika Khan is pictured with Santa and Mrs. Claus inside her hospital room. \" class=\"wp-image-25058220\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/mta-toy-drive-2.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1535 1536w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/mta-toy-drive-2.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all 1024w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/mta-toy-drive-2.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=512 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><figcaption>Six-year-old Lanika Khan takes a photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus inside her hospital room. <\/figcaption><figcaption><span class=\"credit\">Stefano Giovannini<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Her father told The Post the moment was particularly special because his daughter \u2013 in the hospital for five days \u2013 was distraught when she missed breakfast at school with her classmates and a <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/trip-and-travel\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"10\" title=\"Trip &amp; Travel\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">trip<\/a> to see Santa at the mall due to her hospital stay. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cShe said, \u2018oh Santa came to see me,\u2019\u201d Rahat Khan, 32, said. \u201cShe was so happy. It was a big surprise for her from Santa.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis moment boosted her spirits because Santa made her smile. She has been upset the last five days. Now she has a smile on her face.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI am feeling good, I am happy,\u201d little Lanika said brightly after spelling her name.<\/p>\n<p>One 14-year-old girl opened her mouth and eyes wide when she saw\u00a0Santa\u00a0and Mrs. Claus.<\/p>\n<p>She took a picture with them and got on the phone to Facetime her mom to tell her about the special visit.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/mta-toy-drive-5.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"MTA workers, two dressed as Santa and Mrs. Claus, are seen getting ready to hand out gifts.\" class=\"wp-image-25058221\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/mta-toy-drive-5.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1535 1536w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/mta-toy-drive-5.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all 1024w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/mta-toy-drive-5.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=512 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><figcaption>The MTA played a major role in making sure kids in two hospitals had early Christmas gifts this year. <\/figcaption><figcaption><span class=\"credit\">Stefano Giovannini<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cMommy,\u00a0Santa\u00a0came? Look what I got!\u201d she exclaimed. <\/p>\n<p>MTA worker Bill Lewis, the bus driver who adeptly played the role of Kris Kringle, said he planned to be the big man in the red hat long as he can. He spent the day directing Santa\u2019s Express and handing out presents while telling holiday tales. <\/p>\n<p>A child\u2019s joy is what the holiday season is all about, he declared. \u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt warms my heart to see the children smile,\u201d he said, touching his left chest. \u201cIt makes you feel joy\u2026.if you can bring a smile to a child\u2019s face, it\u2019s automatic joy.\u00a0 You can definitely see it in their faces and their smiles.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"inline-slideshow\" data-component=\"inlineSlideshow\">\n<div class=\"inline-slideshow__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"inline-slideshow__slides\">\n<div class=\"inline-slideshow__slide inline-slideshow__slide--no-swipe\">\n<figure class=\"inline-slideshow__slide-figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"878\" height=\"585\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/mta-toy-drive-6.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=878\" class=\"inline-slideshow__image\" alt=\"The team effort led to $20,000 worth of gifts for the children.\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/mta-toy-drive-6.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1756 1756w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/mta-toy-drive-6.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1317 1317w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/mta-toy-drive-6.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=878 878w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/mta-toy-drive-6.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=439 439w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/mta-toy-drive-6.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 878px) 100vw, 878px\"\/><figcaption class=\"meta meta--caption\">\n                                        The team effort led to $20,000 worth of gifts for the children.                                     <\/figcaption><span class=\"inline-slideshow__credit meta meta--byline\">Stefano Giovannini<\/span><br \/>\n                                                            <\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"inline-slideshow__slide inline-slideshow__slide--no-swipe\">\n<figure class=\"inline-slideshow__slide-figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"878\" height=\"585\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/mta-toy-drive-4.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=878\" class=\"inline-slideshow__image\" alt=\"Santa and Mrs. Claus brought holiday cheer across the borough.\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/mta-toy-drive-4.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1756 1756w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/mta-toy-drive-4.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1317 1317w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/mta-toy-drive-4.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=878 878w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/mta-toy-drive-4.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=439 439w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/mta-toy-drive-4.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 878px) 100vw, 878px\"\/><figcaption class=\"meta meta--caption\">\n                                        Santa and Mrs. Claus brought holiday cheer across the borough.                                  <\/figcaption><span class=\"inline-slideshow__credit meta meta--byline\">Stefano Giovannini<\/span><br \/>\n                                                            <\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>                        <span class=\"screen-reader-text\"><br \/>\n                            Advertisement                       <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"inline-slideshow__slide inline-slideshow__slide--no-swipe\">\n<figure class=\"inline-slideshow__slide-figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"878\" height=\"585\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/mta-toy-drive-1.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=878\" class=\"inline-slideshow__image\" alt=\"The MTA uses a bus to help deliver the gifts.\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/mta-toy-drive-1.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1756 1756w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/mta-toy-drive-1.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1317 1317w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/mta-toy-drive-1.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=878 878w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/mta-toy-drive-1.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=439 439w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/mta-toy-drive-1.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 878px) 100vw, 878px\"\/><figcaption class=\"meta meta--caption\">\n                                        The MTA uses a bus to help deliver the gifts.                                   <\/figcaption><span class=\"inline-slideshow__credit meta meta--byline\">Stefano Giovannini<\/span><br \/>\n                                                            <\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>                        <span class=\"screen-reader-text\"><br \/>\n                            Advertisement                       <\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Mrs. Klaus also came along for the ride, helping Santa hand out gifts.<\/p>\n<p>The MTA worker of 12 years, who did not want to give her name to stay in character, said it can be \u201cheart wrenching\u201d seeing kids in the hospital during the holidays.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBut the reward is great \u2013 if we give them just a moment, just a smile, then that\u2019s everything,\u201d she added, her smile returning. \u201cIt\u2019s just heartwarming.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Another MTA worker involved in the effort, Anthony Vultaggio, told The Post he tries to help out every year. The supervisor of the Yukon Depot, \u2014 one of the spots where presents are picked up \u2014 called it an awesome feeling.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn spite of the battle they are fighting this will brighten up their day, given what they have to overcome,\u201d the 34-year-old said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI hope these aren\u2019t the only gifts they will receive but also a clean bill of health. That\u2019s my wish for them.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>MTA maintenance mechanic Gabriel Metzger, 58, said he planned on pitching in even when he retires early next year. He\u2019s part of the crew that cleans the bus and makes sure it\u2019s ready for the trip.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis touches me because I am a father\u2026 it\u2019s personal for me,\u201d he explained. \u201cAs a dad I thank God my children are healthy and I want all children to be healthy.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Kids Against Cancer board chairman Mark Russo said children spending Christmas in the hospital get \u201cspecial, unique gifts based on their wish lists or\u00a0Santa\u2019s list.\u201d The requests can range from pricey gifts such as video <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/game\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"7\" title=\"Game\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">game<\/a> consoles and drones to footballs, soccer balls and coloring books, he noted.<\/p>\n<p>Despite the organization approaching its 30th year, he said the excitement never wanes.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen I see\u00a0Santa\u00a0and Mrs. Claus coming off\u00a0Santa\u2019s Express, it\u2019s a beautiful moment, you could see everyone\u2019s face lights up,\u201d he said. \u201cI feel like a little kid at Christmas.\u201d\n                        <\/p><\/div>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMLG0nwswvr63Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">For forums sites go to <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/forum.buradabiliyorum.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Forum.BuradaBiliyorum.Com<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/news\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"2\" title=\"News\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">News<\/a> articles, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/news\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">News category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2022\/12\/18\/mta-workers-help-spread-holiday-cheer-for-kids-on-staten-island\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;MTA workers help spread holiday cheer for kids on Staten Island&#8221; The MTA and a local charity teamed up to make sure kids stuck in a hospital bed around Christmas got a boost in holiday spirit \u2014 and a visit from Santa Claus \u2014 during a gift-giving tradition that\u2019s spanned three decades. An MTA bus&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":529120,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/mta-toy-drive-homepage.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1024","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[70897],"tags":[137424,28433,66,71452,77173,71556],"class_list":["post-529119","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-12-18-22","tag-charity","tag-christmas","tag-mta","tag-santa-claus","tag-staten-island"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/529119","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=529119"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/529119\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/529120"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=529119"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=529119"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=529119"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}