Former New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter surprised more than 400 children from across the five boroughs when he stopped into two events as part of his Turn 2 Foundation’s annual Holiday Express. “From their personal growth to their academic achievements, these children continue to amaze me. They each deserve a happy holiday season, and I am excited to be able to celebrate with them at our annual Holiday Express,” Derek Jeter said. “This has been an unforgettable year, especially as we celebrated 20 years of Turn 2, and I look forward to what 2017 will bring.”
The assembly line is open! Our #JetersLeaders are putting together 1000+ gift bags at Yankee Stadium to make the holidays bright for kids. pic.twitter.com/xwqyRGQrK4
— Turn 2 Foundation (@JeterTurn2) December 1, 2016
Big thanks to the @Yankees, @Haddadbrands and @simonschuster for donating very special items for our holiday gift bags! #Turn2 #Turn2is20 pic.twitter.com/v4CUKmdXly
— Turn 2 Foundation (@JeterTurn2) December 2, 2016
Check out behind-the-scenes action of #JetersLeaders assembling gift bags, which NYC children will receive in just a few hours! pic.twitter.com/Pe4yoy9BIz
— Turn 2 Foundation (@JeterTurn2) December 7, 2016
#DerekJeter + #Santa surprised hundreds of kids from the #Turn2‘s Turn2Us program today as part of the 2016 #HolidayExpress. #Turn2is20 pic.twitter.com/xR1xFHtiQ0
— Turn 2 Foundation (@JeterTurn2) December 7, 2016
Best part of the holidays for #DerekJeter? Seeing the faces of hundreds of kids light up at #Turn2 #HolidayExpress. #Turn2is20 pic.twitter.com/wuTh9zRk5G
— Turn 2 Foundation (@JeterTurn2) December 7, 2016
#HolidayExpress isn’t over! #Turn2 is bringing holiday cheer to kids in Queens w/@NYCParks for our second stop of the day. #Turn2is20 pic.twitter.com/gtXHj5YkEn
— Turn 2 Foundation (@JeterTurn2) December 7, 2016
#DerekJeter might be #2, but Santa is #1 for these kids at #Turn2 #HolidayExpress. pic.twitter.com/YQb5bb1QLo
— Turn 2 Foundation (@JeterTurn2) December 8, 2016
The children who attended the events at Chelsea Piers and Queens included members of Turn 2’s afterschool programs – a partnership with the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation – and the Turn 2 Us program – a program created as a collaborative effort between Public School 128M of Washington Heights, NewYork-Presbyterian/Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital and Turn 2 that is now administered under NewYork-Presbyterian’s Ambulatory Care Network. “The Turn 2 Annual Holiday Express is a very special event that allows our Jeter’s Leaders to learn the importance of giving back, while celebrating the holidays with young people across New York City and Kalamazoo,” said Sharlee Jeter, president of the Turn 2 Foundation. “I look forward to this event each year, and I am grateful for the continuous support of our amazing partners and sponsors.” Each child received a special holiday gift bag containing items donated by the New York Yankees and sponsors of the Turn 2 Foundation, including Haddad Brands and Simon & Schuster. The gift bags were assembled on Dec. 1 at Yankee Stadium by high school students from the New York Jeter’s Leaders program. “All their efforts in school definitely paid off with a fun-filled day at the recreation center and the icing on the cake was Mr. Jeter’s and Santa Claus’ surprise visit,” said Evelyn Montanez, program manager of the Turn 2 Us program at NewYork-Presbyterian’s Ambulatory Care Network. “The smiles and excitement of each and every child was priceless!”
