We were so happy to partner with New York City’s Department of Transportation for their annual “Citywide Car-Free Streets Block Party” in celebration of Earth Day on April 22nd.
We joined dozens of local non-for-profits, artists, and merchants on Troutman St in Brooklyn, between Irving Avenue and St Nicholas Avenue, which was designated a car-free zone for the day.
Not only were we able to reimagine what life would be like if our cities were organized more sustainably, but we were able to meet people from the neighborhood and tell them about the work we are doing to help chronically and critically-ill children.
Lots of passers-by stopped and chatted with us in our booth, which was a wonderful way to get to know the community our organization supports.
We brought games and activities for the children, including an oversized chess game, cornball, ladder-ball, hopscotch, and chalk to create colorful street murals. It was a joy to see kids playing safely on the sidewalks and streets, as well as soaking in the beautiful weather.
But the good times didn’t stop there.
The Dream Factory Brooklyn’s board decided to seize the opportunity to promote our fundraising efforts by hosting a raffle. Anyone who bought tickets for the Brooklyn Cyclones baseball game at Maimonides Park on July 16th could win a $100 Amazon gift card. The Brooklyn Cyclones have agreed to partner with us and will generously donate some of the proceeds from ticket sales to our dream-granting organization.