Queens Kicks off the Holidays with ’13 Days of Resorts World’ to Support New York City Families During Giving Season

Queens Kicks off the Holidays with ’13 Days of Resorts World’ to Support New York City Families During Giving Season

Partnerships with Nas, Celebrity Chef JJ Johnson Highlight Two-Week Activation to Partner with Local Non-Profits, Elected Officials as Part of 13-Year Community Commitment

 

Queens, NY (December 1, 2024) – Resorts World New York City (RWNYC) continued celebrating its 13thanniversary in the Big Apple  by kicking off two weeks of community activations leading up to Christmas. The “13 Days of Resorts World” initiative, which launched this weekend, follows its robust effort to deliver more than 4,000 meals to families in need at Thanksgiving, reflecting the property’s larger commitment to community empowerment throughout the year.

 

“Resorts World New York City has been a proud community steward in Queens over the last 13 years and we are proud to call ourselves neighbors to amazing civic organizations and institutions,” said Robert DeSalvio, President of Genting Americas East. “13 Days of Resorts World is our thank you to those neighbors for their partnership throughout the year. What inspires me more than anything else is that this is a staff-led effort, reflecting the fact many of our employees live blocks, not boroughs, from our facility. This is their community and they are clearly dedicated to seeing it thrive.”

 

*** For photos from 13 Days of Resorts World, click here. ***

 

The company will sponsor several toy giveaways over the 13-day effort, including a distribution event at the Queensbridge Houses in partnership with Hip Hop legend Nas and Ralph McDaniels of Video Music Box on Monday, December 23rd. RWNYC’s support for the Long Island City native’s annual toy distribution will ensure hundreds more children in the Queensbridge Houses receive gifts this holiday season. That will be complemented by a staff-led toy drive to support Toys for Tots.

 

Santa Claus flew his sleigh to Southeast Queens on Sunday, December 15th, to take part in a holiday parade featuring company officials, City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, State Senator Leroy Comrie, Council Member Nantasha Williams, and community leaders. Saint Nick stuck around for a special appearance at a Monday, December 16th toy giveaway hosted by RWNYC and the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Queens.

 

In addition to toy and coat giveaways, festive events, and celebrations, RWNYC will continue to help feed the most disadvantaged members of the community. Following his work with RWNYC last month, James Beard Award-winning Chef JJ Johnson will partner with the company once again to distribute warm meals at several events throughout Queens. The celebrity chef and author, who has designed the signature holiday menu, will help distribute meals at an event with State Senator Roxanne Persaud and another at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, where he and RWNYC previously delivered over 650 meals and 30 turkeys ahead of Thanksgiving.

 

“Resorts World New York City has been there for the community over the last 13 years, and I’m glad they continue to live up to their word,” said State Senator James Sanders. “This Holiday season, their 13 Days of Resorts World will take that community presence to a new level as they deliver toys, meals, and coats to families in need. I’m glad to have them as a neighbor in our community throughout the year.”

 

“The holidays are a time to give back to our family, friends, and neighbors, especially those who may be less fortunate than ourselves,” said State Senator Leroy Comrie. “Resorts World New York City has been an active member of our community since day one but once again has set a shining example of community leadership, putting the needs of Queens residents first. From Laurelton to Long Island City, they are spreading a touch of Christmas magic that reminds us all of the true spirit of the season.”

 

“Resorts World New York City’s continued commitment to its neighboring communities is raising the bar for corporate citizenship,” said State Senator Roxane Persaud. “I’m proud to partner with Resorts World this Christmas season to make sure our ‘seasoned’ citizens are treated to a hearty and nutritious holiday meal.”

“The holidays are about compassion and coming together to uplift one another and express our gratitude,” said Council Member Nantasha Williams. “I am looking forward to working with RWNYC to express my gratitude for the men and women of the NYPD who risk their lives for our community.”

“I partnered with Resorts World New York City to deliver hot meals this holiday season for those who may be dealing with a tough time and facing food insecurity,” said Chef JJ Johnson of FIELDTRIP. “Resorts World is thinking about everyone in their community, demonstrating a clear commitment to enjoy the holidays with thoughtfully curated meals. Seeing the joy this brings our neighbors in Queens and Brooklyn is truly what the holidays are all about.”

“Resorts World New York City has been an incredible partner in helping us bring smiles to children’s faces this holiday season,” said David Kupecky, Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Queens. “Their support ensures that hundreds of kids in our community will experience the magic of the holidays, and we are grateful for their unwavering dedication to making a difference.”

 

See below for a full list of “13 Days of Resorts World” events: 

 

Date Event  Description
12/14/24 Senator Comrie Toy Donations NYS Senator Leroy Comrie 10th Annual Toy Drive.
12/15/24 Holiday Float & Auto Parade  Music, games, Christmas gifts, pictures with Santa, and more will be available! Stops include Rochdale Village Mall, Baisley Park Gardens, Baisley Houses, South Jamaica Houses, and the Blue Bird Inn on 94th Avenue.
12/15/24 Senator Persaud Meal Distribution  Christmas Meal Distribution – Local Senior. 
12/16/24 Boys & Girls Club of Metro Queens Toy Giveaway Toy Giveaway at the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Queens Toy Giveaway & Visit from Santa.
12/17/24 SQPA Winterfest 2024 Winterfest 2024 @ Roy Wilkens Park.
12/17/24 CPC Chritsmas party CPC Brooklyn Special Needs program will be hosting its Christmas party .
12/18/24 Chief Williams + NYPD NYPD Family & Friends Holiday Dinner @ RWNYC
12/19/24 CM Selvena Brooks-Powers – Miracle on Merrick  Laurelton District office – Caroling | Facepainting | Live performances | Music and more 
12/19/24 Senator David Weprin – Toy Giveaway David Weprin – Assembly Member will deliver toys to Jamaica Hospital.
12/19/24 Jamaica Hospital Food Distribution Resorts World Staff will help deliver meals alongside JHMC staff.
12/20/24 RWNYC Volunteer Appreciation Party  This will be held in the Marketing Conference Room.
12/21/24 Riverfund “Xmas in Queens” Gifts will be delivered and shared with families and seniors. 
12/22/24 Christmas Caroling RW Christmas Caroling in the Grand Lobby.
12/22/24 RWNYC Coat Drive Internal Coat Drive: Collecting Gently Used Coats and doating to Sisterhood of Destiny.
12/23/24 RWNYC Coat Drive Internal Coat Drive: Collecting Gently Used Coats and doating to Sisterhood of Destiny.
12/23/24 Queenbridge Toy Giveaway Queensbridge toy giveaway.
12/24/24 Holiday Wishes for the Community  RW Staff will appear in a cheerful video greeting wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season.
12/25/24 RW Thank you to the Community Resorts World will issue a public thank you to its neighbors. 

 

About Resorts World New York City

Resorts World New York City (RWNYC) is the Big Apple’s only casino-hotel and has generated more than $4 billion for the State’s public education system since 2011. RWNYC fulfills the decades-long mission to turn the historic Aqueduct Racetrack into a gaming destination with approximately 6,500 slot machines and electronic table gaming. An average 8 million guests pass through RWNYC’s doors annually, where they enjoy an extraordinary gaming, entertainment, and dining experience. In 2021, the 400-room Hyatt Regency JFK Airport hotel at Resorts World New York City opened its doors — bringing the total investment at the site to $1.1 billion. Guests can choose from several dining options including the recently reopened RW Prime and Good Friends Noodle House. RWNYC is operated by the Genting Group, a global company founded in 1965, with destination resorts in the Catskills, Hudson Valley, Las Vegas, Bimini, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, and the United Kingdom. Genting has more than 50 years of experience in the travel and leisure industry and collectively employs approximately 47,000 people while offering an unparalleled resort experience to over 50 million visitors a year worldwide.