nothin Elves, Internet Save Xmas | New Haven Independent

Elves, Internet Save Xmas

Gary Holder-Winfield Photo

Toys for over 100 kids vanished from New Haven’s former armory — then at least that many reappeared after a call went out for help.

The episode — straight out The Grinch Stole Christmas—occurred this weekend.

Honda Smith (foreground in top photo), a West Rock activist and city public works manager, had organized a Winter Wonderland holiday party for kids at the old New Haven Armory on Goffe Street.

On Friday she was showing Mayor Toni Harp, slated to plays Mrs. Claus at the party, around the joint.

They came upon two men stealing toys. One of them men identified himself as a pastor” who had permission to take the gifts. Just leave,” Smith told him. Soon she discovered that over 100 toys had been swiped.

Saturday word of the theft went out via the New Haven Register and State Sen. Gary Holder-Winfield’s Facebook page.

People came from all over, bringing toys,” Smith said. More toys than had disappeared in the first place — hundreds of toys, along with hundreds of dollars in gift certificates.

Christmas was saved.

It went and did what the internet does,” Holder-Winfield, one of the state Capitol’s most prolific social-media adopters, said of the blast he sent out. It’s a beautiful tool.”

My heart was filled with joy. I had no words,” Smith said. I cried the night before, and my heart was smiling the day of the event.”

Gary Holder-Winfield Photo

Local artist BWak Comfort worked the photo booth with Mayor Claus.

Contributed Photo

Among the volunteers making the weekend Wonderland run were New Haven police Detectives Bertram Ettienne and Betsy Segui, along with nurse Lacia Medina (from left in back row). Ryan Davies and Officers Derek Honer and Robert Strickland helped out, too.

Contributed Photo

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