By Helen Klein
While East Flatbush’s Youth Happening may be over two months away, planning has already begun for the event, which provides a day of entertainment and education for neighborhood kids each year, from toddlers through teens. Patricia Reddock, the chairperson of Community Board 17’s Youth Services committee, put out the call for volunteers and donations at the April meeting of the board. Speaking to the crowd gathered at SUNY Downstate Medical Center, 395 Lenox Road, Reddock urged, “We need monetary contributions and giveaways – toys, books, key chains, pencils,” Reddock told her listeners. “We also need volunteers.” The event is scheduled to take place, said Reddock, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on August 4th in Paerdegat Park, at Foster and Albany Avenues. “It’s just a fun day,” she added. Laurel Fraser, the board’s secretary and a member of the Youth Services Committee, said, in a subsequent interview, that children from day care centers and summer programs in the area are invited. “The response is usually overwhelming,” she stressed. “Up to 5,000 kids come out.” The day, said Fraser, consists of a combination of organized entertainment, “As well as activities so people can move in and out. There’s a stage show where the kids perform, a magician, usually a favorite children’s character, picture-taking, face-painting, horseback riding. We will have the traveling museum from the Museum of Natural History, a dinosaur exhibit this year, so kids will have the opportunity for hands-on experience. The Fire Department provides fire safety information, and the kids play games. Each child goes away with a goodie bag.” There’s plenty of food, too, said Fraser. “The 67th Precinct officers do the barbecue,” she noted, “and we have box lunches from the Department of Education School Food Services. There are hot dogs, hamburgers, drinks, ice cream,” she elaborated. There’s also lots of useful information for adults, said Fraser. “Community organizations come out and have information tables on such topics as health and library services,” she explained. Everything is free, emphasized Fraser. “There’s no cost to the community. The day is sponsored by contributions from elected officials, businesses, block associations and interested individuals. Contributions can be donations or gift items.” Volunteers start arriving at the park at about 6 a.m. on the day of the event, said Fraser. “They decorate the park with balloons and ribbons, make it beautiful and inviting for the kids,” she explained. Pre-registration is requested for both those attending the events and volunteers, “so we can have an idea who’s coming,” said Fraser. To do this, she said, call the community board office at 717-467-3536. “We want to make sure we have enough,” Fraser added. “We don’t want to sent kids home empty-handed.”
