It was angels helping angels.
And they were all helping families in need Sunday in East Patchogue for the massive “Christmas Miracles 2020” gift giveaway.
Once again, the Suffolk County Hells Angels joined with the Angels of Long Island nonprofit group for the annual event.
It was held in the parking lot outside the Angels of Long Island thrift shop and outreach center off East Main Street.
There, moms and dads currently facing hardships were able to shop for brand-new items for their kids.
All for free.
“We wanted children across Long Island to have an amazing Christmas this year,” said Angels of Long Island co-founder Debbie Loesch. “With this coronavirus pandemic our children’s worlds have changed overnight.
“But still, Christmas morning needs to be magical.”
Parents from over 200 families got to shop.
Nine families every half-hour (for social distancing purposes) perused the tents. They picked presents from among new toys, bikes, scooters, skateboards, electronics and more.
They also got a bundle of stocking stuffers.
All the families left with hats and gloves, and a complete Christmas meal of turkey, ham, hot and sweet Italian sausage, and other groceries.
“We couldn’t have done it without the amazing support of the Suffolk chapter of the Hells Angels and a long list of local businesses and Long Island residents,’ Loesch said.
The notorious motorcycle group first heard about the Long Island Angels’ giveaway last fall, when the nonprofit was struggling to meet demand.
Then they swooped in with toys like a bunch of Santas with their sacks.
Then they did it again Sunday for this year’s event.
Normally secretive, the local Hells Angels chapter has been quietly involved with helping nonprofits across Long Island, they’ve told GreaterPatchogue.
“We got word that the Angels of Long Island needed toys and we wanted to help them out,” Billy, a sergeant of arms for the group who couldn’t give his full name, said last year.
“We start collecting early on in the year with different events, including our Christmas party, where everyone brings an unwrapped gift to donate,” he said.
click to see all the donations given away. (courtesy photos)
