Hundreds of teens lined up outside the 5 Senses Club on Crown Street on a frigid Wednesday night to donate warm coats to the homeless and to have a fine holiday dance party to boot. Hillhouse senior and teen organizer extraordinaire Ronald Huggins Jr., known to his many friends as “Huggie Bear,” estimated his “Santa’s Lil Helpers” soiree would provide more than 300 coats to the city’s estimated 1500 homeless people.
A kid with a coat to contribute got three bucks off admission to see Mook and Fair rap and hear light heavyweight boxing champ Chad Dawson inspire. Huggins teamed up with Inner City Teens, a fledgling non-profit, to show that urban young people have the philanthropic spirit too.
“Anything to give back to New Haven,” he said.
Last night was a great affair. It was good seing over 500 of New Haven's youth coming together for this positive occasion. Im very proud that 5sences, I.C.T. Teens, "The President's Motorcycle Club," P.M.G., tatted up tattooing on Whalley Ave and everyone came together to make this event happen. In total we got 450 to give to those that are less fortunate. This was a great collaboration from everyone to come and make this event happen.