Mount Vernon marks Three Kings Day
The annual event was attended by at least 100 kids. It was hosted in collaboration with Montefiore Einstein, Toys for Tots and Westchester Latinos Unidos, according to the group's president, Elvira Castillo.
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The Doles Recreation Center in Mount Vernon was packed with presents on Monday as the city celebrated its annual Three Kings Day event.
The annual event was attended by at least 100 kids. It was hosted in collaboration with Montefiore Einstein, Toys for Tots and Westchester Latinos Unidos, according to the group's president, Elvira Castillo.
"Basically, the children come in here, and they learn about the Three Kings tradition, they pick up their toys and they're just so excited to receive more toys after Christmas," Castillo said.
Castillo said gifts were given out at the event because the holiday honors the Three Wise Men who gave gifts to Jesus, according to the Bible. However, she added that there was also a cultural element to the event as well.
"Three Kings is very well celebrated throughout Latin America. I know as a Latina, we totally enjoy [it]," Castillo said. "I always looked forward to receiving these toys under my bed."
Teaching the kids about the tradition was why the city's Commissioner of Recreation, Kathleen Walker-Pinckney, said the event was so important to host.
"It's important for the kids to understand why we do this, and not just to get a gift," Walker-Pinckney said. "Cultural diversity is always important to recreation and the city of Mount Vernon because the more somebody learns about somebody's culture, the better they will be."
