Our colleagues from the New York Staff Union describe the “joy of giving” to local communities and children in need.
Many of us feel relieved as we let go of 2020, an extraordinary year dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought about immense challenges and suffering around the world. Nevertheless, we came together and continued to support each other.
We reached beyond the Organization and helped our host city of New York to collect and distribute thousands of pounds of food for local pantries for Thanksgiving– eager to give back to others and recall that, no matter what the circumstances, we all have something to be grateful for.
To celebrate our 75th anniversary, the New York Staff Union and Department of Operational Support organized a programme of charity drives under the theme: The Joy of Giving from the United Nations, New York Staff.
There was no better time than the holiday season to give back to our community and spread some holiday cheer. We distributed many boxes of toys, books and clothes to various facilities run by the New York City Administration of Children Services (supporting kids with disabilities) and the Department of Homeless Services across the five boroughs.
“It was the privilege of our entire department to contribute to the NYC toy drive this holiday season and bring the gift of play to children in need,” said Atul Khare, Under-Secretary-General for Operational Support.
“I was humbled by the overall generosity shown by our staff, as well as their eagerness to help coordinate the event. Participating in charitable acts like this reminds us that love and kindness can brighten the hearts of others even during the darkest of times, and furthermore, that true happiness is derived not from what we get – but from what we give,” he said.
The Staff Union, along with the international community and the New York Mayor’s Office for International Affairs, also participated in the Secret Snowflake Holiday Gift Drive. This cause was supported by 330 UN staff members, fulfilling personalized wish letters from vulnerable children and youth in our host city.
“Let us dedicate 2020 to the remembrance of who we are, the devotion that each one of us has committed to the organization, how far we have travelled, and to the fact that there is nothing we can’t achieve together,” said Patricia Nemeth, President of the United Nations Staff Union, New York.
We extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to all those colleagues who contributed and volunteered to make this initiative a success.