A couple of weeks ago I received an invitation to film Love & Hip Hop‘s, Yandy Smith’s Harlem Cares Toy Drive. The date was set for December 14, 2014 at The Kennedy Center in Harlem. Upon arriving, I saw a number of families lined up to participate in the event. There were people ready to give their various presents and enjoy what the toy drive had to offer. When security gave press the queue to go upstairs I walked in on a celebration that meant more than just giving Christmas gifts. The toy drive represented something that celebrated the youth as well as parents being able to interact and watch their children smile and laugh as they basked in these activities. The stations that provided the children with ways of indulging in these activities included:

• Pamper Stations – manicures for girls and shape-ups for boys provided by @imphouseofglam @startedwithclippers
• Holiday Photo Booth – provided by @fancyfacephotobooth
• Face Painting – provided by @sheilajfaces @cutiecrew
• Holiday Arts and Crafts Station – provided by @originalhousewifecollection @dashdiva13 @pinkysezdesigns @prettywithapurpose
• Music – provided by @blkidtwins
• Live Entertainment – provided by @cartier231
• Cupcake Decorating – provided by @bites_galore_
• Hot Cocoa Bar – provided by @trendytreatsBK @primrosecoutureevents
• Kiddie Buffet – sliders, pizza, mac & cheese, etc. provided by @mamamias_ @nellyskitchen, @drinkup_nyc3 @tonniesminis

Furthermore, I was happy to be a part of something that brought such delight to the participants’ faces. It was great to see a person such as Yandy Smith and her family give back to her own community and actually make an effort to take a picture with everyone who approached her.

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