NY FLYERS 2012 TOYS FOR TOTS RUN

Scott S

The Flyers annual Toys for Tots Run is one of many longstanding Flyer traditions. For years Sandy A arranged the toy drive to benefit children with serious illnesses staying in the Pediatric Center at Mt. Sinai Hospital on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Participants would typically gather at the Engineers’ Gate, put their donated toys in Jerry F’s car, run down Central Park’s East Drive, exit the Park, stroll past the holiday windows on Fifth Avenue, and sing holiday songs underneath the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree with Laurent N conducting. Then the singers would run north through Central Park to Mt. Sinai, go room to room singing for the appreciative children (and their parents) and distribute toys as they sang.  The event concluded with a celebratory holiday brunch.

This Year's Singer's Show Off Their Dance Moves, Too!

Several years ago, for the sake of the health of both the patients and the singers, Mt. Sinai forbade the Flyer choir’s singing in the children’s rooms. Instead, the Flyers were ushered into the hospital’s new internal television studio, where the singers would perform live for approximately half an hour. Children were able to call in with their requests, which inevitably were dominated by songs the Flyers had just sung, songs the Flyers didn’t know, or everyone’s favorite musical tribute to holiday sadism “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer.” Thankfully, the mellifluous bagpipe stylings of Flyer Patrick D kept the singers’ holiday spirits bright.

Unfortunately, the toy drive was canceled in 2011 when the Flyers and the Mt. Sinai staff could not agree on a suitable time for a visit (“could you come in at 6:30pm on the third Sunday in December?”) However, this venerable Flyers’ holiday tradition returned this year thanks to Sandy A’s tireless efforts. She arranged a toy drive to benefit kids affected by the recent Hurricane Sandy and coordinated with the Central Park Zoo to accept the donated toys (no, we didn’t sing for the animals). As an added benefit, those who gave toys were given a ticket good for future admission to the Bronx Zoo (note: Sandy also volunteers as a guide at the zoo, so be on the lookout for a Flyer day at the zoo in 2013!).

Jodie F, Laurent N, Laurie H (with her dog Paco), Steve K, Debbie P, Robert B, Scott S, Amy S, Jennifer B, David W

The Flyer singers met near the Central Park Zoo entrance at the appointed time – this year’s participants included Sandy A, Jennifer B, Robert B, Maribeth C, Jodie F, Laurie H and her dog Paco, Laurent N, Steve K, Debbie P, Amy S, Scott S, and David W. After introducing ourselves to each other and posing for some group photos, the singers dropped off their toys at the Central Park Zoo, then headed out of the Park and down Fifth Avenue to see the 2012 holiday windows.

Laurent was waiting for us underneath the Rock Center tree when we arrived, but as has been the case the last several times the event has been held, our group was prevented from singing directly underneath the tree by the Center’s crack security force. Apparently, there’s now a formal sign-up process in place for groups wishing to perform underneath the tree, and groups that attempt to circumvent this process are threatened with eviction, incarceration, and forcible removal of vocal cords with a sharp instrument (my apologies to any junior Flyers who may be reading this). After posing for several group photos underneath the tree, we found an unguarded area across the street and belted out several up-tempo holiday favorites before the wind and steady rain conspired to dampen our spirits.

Click the Arrrow:

Then Sing Along with The Von Flyer Family Singers

The group had planned to return to Central Park and enjoy a four-mile run together, but due to the weather the group decided to forego the run and proceed directly to the brunch portion of our program. After securing a table for twelve at a café in the Rock Center concourse, the group decided to leave after discovering that the cafe didn’t see fit to include brunch items on its menu.

Brunchtime for Hungry Singers

A new venue was chosen, brunch was ordered, and a good time was had by all. Thanks again to the hearty souls who chose to participate this year, and special thanks, as always, to Sandy for organizing the event and Laurent for leading us in song!

-Scott S