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BELMONT, the Bronx (PIX11) \u2014 Christmas is such a beautiful time to celebrate the communities we live in.<\/p>\n
There was a moving tree-lighting celebration that highlighted the generosity of neighbors helping neighbors in Bronx Little Italy on Saturday.<\/p>\n
More Local News <\/a><\/p>\n The minute Santa arrived there were squeals of delight from the more than 1,000 children and adults waiting on line for the toy giveaway and the free Italian cookies and hot chocolate.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s amazing, all that is being done for the community,\u201d said Zoraida Irizarry, who was attending the Christmas tree lighting ceremony.<\/p>\n It was the 10th annual tree lighting in Ciccarone Park sponsored by the Belmont Business Improvement District. There was so much joy as the countdown to the tree lighting began.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are celebrating the Christmas season here on Arthur Avenue,\u201d said Alyssa Tucker, the executive director of the Belmont Business Improvement District. \u201cWe really telling people to enjoy our exquisite eateries.\u201d<\/p>\n More than 2,000 toys were collected by the Children\u2019s Cancer Society with help from local businesses and the FDNY.<\/p>\n \u201cWe going to go to he doing what we are doing to work with local businesses to collect toys,\u201d said Maria Villa lobos, a toy drive organizer for the Children\u2019s Cancer Society.<\/p>\n A mother with a young child, Miguelina Perez, said, \u201cEspecially in these difficult times, this means a lot.\u201d Her daughter liked the Barbie she received.<\/p>\n The message from the tree lighting is to come to support the restaurants and stores on Arthur Avenue this holiday season.<\/p>\n Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.<\/i><\/p>\n For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. <\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n