A Riverhead native with a heart for helping struggling families is working to make Christmas a bit brighter for those in need.
LIR Clothing owner Anthony Harris and Tyre Lodge 91 are hosting a toy giveaway at Vines and Hops on Saturday afternoon, Dec. 17.
Santa Claus will be there to distribute new, unwrapped toys to children, Harris said. Kids who bring report cards that show straight-As will get an extra surprise. Hot cocoa will be served, he said.
“There are a lot of single parents around here and it’s tough at Christmas time,” said Harris, 33, who has a 2-year-old son himself. “I don’t want them not to have Christmas.”
Harris is the force behind an annual school supply and clothing giveaway each summer just before the school year begins. He’s been doing that giveaway for four years now and decided it’s time to spread the love at Christmastime too.
He and his three younger brothers were raised by a single mom who struggled to make ends meet, he said.
“Anything I can do to help kids and help their parents provide for them, I want to do,” he said.
Harris said he’s been able to grow a successful business and he wants to give back. “You can’t just keep taking, taking, taking,” he said.
He’s also aware of the need for positive role models in the community.
“Growing up, the only people we had to look up to was negative people,” Harris said. “I wanted to give kids a positive role model to look up to. It’s bad out there.”
He asked the owner of Vines and Hops to host the event because he was walking by and it looked pretty, decorated for the holiday. So he stopped in. Jeff McKay agreed without hesitation, Harris said.
“At first we were going to do it at the lodge,” which is located on Flanders Road. “But this is better because people walking by will see it. It’s accessible and friendly,” Harris said.
Harris’ toy giveaway effort is being supported by community sponsors including Bright and Early Day Care in Riverhead, Rico’s Clothing in Center Moriches and Lucharitos in Greenport. Anyone interested in helping out by donating new, unwrapped toys or money can call Harris at 631-875-9119.
The event will take place at Vines and Hops, 127 E. Main St. from 2 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 17.
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