L-R CitiStorage volunteers Brandy Allen, Ayanna Cook, Eric Phillip, Elaine Brodsky and Lydia Rojas Jeff Mann

CitiStorage Plays Santa to Kids in Need

For the 16th straight year, the CitiStorage holiday party was an overwhelming success!

Staying with tradition, the North 11th Street records-storage giant chose community outreach over eggnog and decorations, resulting in a show of holiday spirit few companies can match. As in years past, the beneficiary of their largesse was The League Education and Treatment Center. “The League Education and Treatment Center is an amazing place where their staff creates miracles every day,” said CitiStorage co-owner Elaine (Mrs. Claus) Brodsky. “They give hope to so many families who have nowhere else to turn and every year we are inspired by their example.”

The DUMBO-based League treats and educates children and adults with psychiatric and developmental disabilities. Most of these students are from families that live below the poverty line. Many of them either live with their grandparents (sometimes even great-grandparents) or are in foster care, said League CEO Hannah Achtenberg Kinn. The League offers various workshops about caring for autistic children and applying for housing, food and medical benefits. Their efforts give some of the most disadvantaged students a chance to be successful at school, and in life. Kinn recalled one grateful grandmother telling her “I see my grandchild as a triangle, and you are building the base.”

On Monday, December 12th, Brodsky visited the League with several elves (employees) bearing presents for the children. This act of kindness will be repeated every day this week, until 120 toys have been distributed. Volunteer Brandy Allen saw photos from last year’s holiday visit and asked to join in this year. “I think CitiStorage is a great company and it’s great that they’ve been doing this for the past 15 years. I think the kids really appreciate it,” she said. Added Brodsky, “For many of the kids, this gift may be the only present they will receive.”

Playing Santa is serious business to the CitiStorage team. Planning begins in October, when the teachers submit lists of toys for the kids. After CitiStorage employee Dania Matthews sorts and computerizes the list, she hits the stores and web with Brodsky and fellow employee Norlene Gumb. By the time they finish shopping, “All the items are put in our conference room, which begins to look like Santa’s Workshop,” said Brodsky. Throughout November the rest of the staff gets in on the act by assembling toys, installing batteries, and wrapping and labeling each item. “The holiday spirit is soaring at CitiStorage at this time of the year and we wouldn’t have it any other way!” said Brodsky.

How did the students enjoy the visit? As the impossibly adorable, four-year-old Jasmin, who greeted each visitor with a handshake and an enthusiastic “nice to meetcha!” opened her new dollhouse, she exclaimed, “This is the coolest day ever! I got presents! I don’t believe this!”

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