Thursday, October 1, 2026
The organizers of the annual Sylvan Place Holiday Block Party in Valley Stream presented donation checks to Sunrise Day Camp and Camp ANCHOR — the two local charities that benefit from the longtime neighborhood tradition.
The check presentations, which took place on Jan. 24, donated the proceeds from the most recent holiday block party, which annually raises funds for the two camps. Donations collected during the event were divided evenly between the two organizations, with each receiving $1,850.
While Sylvan Place residents have decorated their homes for the holidays for decades, the event took on added significance in 2014, when neighbors formally added the donation aspect to the block party to honor two former residents, Christopher Schroeder and Michael Smith. Schroeder died of cancer in 2013 at the age of 18, and Smith, who had Down syndrome, died the same year at age 44. Since then, proceeds from the annual celebration have supported causes connected to their lives.
“It’s about giving back, it’s about helping out,” organizer Alex Carr, who has lived on Sylvan Place for 58 years, said. “If we’re going to be out there anyway, and we’re able to help and bring attention to two worthy charities that could use the money and the help. And we know that it is helping people because we see it, because we know people who are associated with them and utilize the facilities.”
Sunrise Day Camp supports families of children battling cancer, while Camp ANCHOR serves individuals with special needs in the Town of Hempstead.
For Rachel McGovern, whose family has lived on the block for 40 years, the block party’s mission is deeply personal, witnessing its impact on her 32-year-old brother, Ryan, who has special needs.
“I get to firsthand witness the results of what goes down, after the money’s donated to the charities,” McGovern said. “My brother specifically gets to go to his camp and enjoy field trips that he wouldn’t be able to enjoy if he didn’t have this money coming into his charity.
“And there is nothing more special than seeing special needs children and adults with huge smiles on their faces, because they get to go on these trips and have the time of a lifetime,” she continued.
The holiday block party grew out of a friendly decorating rivalry that began decades ago between neighbors Ronnie Strange and Bobby Coppola. What started as a competition between neighboring homes gradually expanded as more residents added decorations, eventually transforming the entire block into a holiday destination that attracted visitors from surrounding communities.
Over time, neighbors began offering hot chocolate to people stopping to view the decorations, leading to the idea of organizing a winter block party. The event grew to include food, visits from Santa Claus, donated gifts for children and appearances by the local fire department, which often delivers Santa to the block via fire truck.
“We’re all enjoying, we’re having fun, we’re talking, people are enjoying, so why not turn it into a block party?” Carr said, reflecting on the event’s origins. “You have a summer block party, we’re gonna have a winter block party.”
As the event expanded, neighbors began collecting donations, initially supporting Camp ANCHOR because several families on the block had relatives with special needs who benefited from the camp’s programs. After Schroeder’s death, a scholarship was established in his name at Valley Stream South High School. Following the family’s request, those efforts later transitioned to supporting Sunrise Day Camp alongside Camp ANCHOR.
The block party typically takes place on the Saturday before Christmas, with the street closed to traffic and residents welcoming visitors for an evening of holiday activities. All food, entertainment and gifts are provided free of charge, with voluntary donations encouraged.
The check presentations served both as a formal donation handoff and a gathering for neighbors, organizers and charity representatives. Large ceremonial checks were presented, and attendees took the opportunity to connect with one another and reflect on the event’s impact.
Residents involved in the effort stressed that the charitable aspect has become inseparable from the block party itself, reinforcing the sense of community that has defined Sylvan Place for generations.
“What you put out into this world is what comes back to you,” Richard Dyer, a 22-year resident of Sylvan Place and the block party’s designated hotdog griller, said. “If you put out good when you need something, it’ll somehow happen for you. And I’m not talking about monetary value, just the thought, the love, the effort, the giving. It feels good to give, and people feel it too.”
Many families have lived on the block for decades, while newer residents have increasingly joined in decorating, volunteering and helping organize the event.
Over the years, the charities have shared how the donated funds are used, including for transportation, field trips, recreational programming and facility improvements. Camp ANCHOR has also recognized Sylvan Place for its continued support and has hosted members of the block at its facilities.
Sylvan Place neighbors expressed hopes of continuing to expand participation and increasing donations in future years, while maintaining the neighborhood-focused spirit that has sustained the event for so long. Despite changing residents and the challenges of organizing a winter outdoor event, the block party has endured, missing only one year due to unsafe weather conditions.
