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Volunteers in Brentwood this weekend handed out thousands of wrapped presents to children during festive Three Kings Day events.
On Saturday, state Assemblyman Phil Ramos hosted his annual Three Kings Drive-Thru Toy giveaway at his office on Suffolk Avenue. Participants handed out more than 3,000 toys, Ramos said, to kids as they sat in their cars.
“We have to keep our traditions here in Brentwood. This is a tradition steeped deeply in the Hispanic community,” Ramos said. “In many Latino countries, Three Kings Day is actually a bigger holiday — more celebrated than Christmas. Today is just a beautiful day — to see those beautiful smiles on the faces of these young kids.
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“It’s a beautiful tradition,” Ramos added, noting that families of all faiths and backgrounds were welcome to attend the event.
Puerto Rican Coalition hosts Three Kings Day event
Hundreds more gifts were handed out on Sunday at the Puerto Rican Coalition for a Better Community’s 18th annual Three Kinds Day celebration at the Knights of Columbus hall in Brentwood. Families also go to visit with and have photos taken with the Three Kings at the event, which ran from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“It was so wonderful and precious seeing all of those beautiful smiles on the children faces as they received their gifts from the three Kings,” the coalition said in an Instagram post.
Another Three Kings event this Saturday
Coming up this Saturday – from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. – is the Student Advocates of Long Island’s first annual Three Kings Toy Giveaway. It will be at Adelante of Suffolk, located at 10 Third Ave. in Brentwood.
Children must be present in order to receive a gift and pre-registration to the free event is required. Children can be registered by calling 631.303.5717.
Three Kings’ Day, also known as Epiphany, is a Christian holiday commemorating the visit of the Magi to the baby Jesus. It symbolizes the revelation of Christ to the Gentiles.
Top photo: Instagram/Puerto Rican Coalition
