The Belmont Child Care Association, Inc. (BCCA) is bringing the magic of the holiday season to life once again with our much-loved Annual Holiday Shopping Day on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at Anna House, BCCA’s child care center located at Belmont Park.
Each year, more than 500 children from New York’s Thoroughbred backstretch racing community experience a day filled with wonder and joy as they “shop” for gifts for their loved ones with the help of their very own elf. Every item is brand new, and no money is exchanged. The event is entirely free for families, made possible through the kindness of our donors, sponsors, and volunteers.
Anna House is transformed into a winter wonderland, complete with our cozy Sugar Plum Café, a bustling Holiday Shop brimming with festive gifts, and a special visit from Santa himself. More than 100 volunteers and community members come together, dressed in cheerful holiday colors and festive costumes, spreading joy and warmth as they help to create a magical atmosphere.
Among our volunteers this year is Jazmin, BCCA’s 2025 Volunteer of the Year, an eighth grader and proud graduate of our early childhood education and development and our school-age enrichment programs at Anna House.
“When I was a little girl, the elves made Christmas magical for me,” said Jazmin. “Now I get to help to make that magic for someone else, and that’s what this day is all about.”
BCCA’s Annual Holiday Shopping Day is a day where memories are made and families experience the joys of the season. What begins with a gift during the holidays continues year-round through our early childhood education and development and school-age enrichment programs at Anna House and Faith’s House, where every child is encouraged to reach for the stars: dream BIG, sparkle more, and shine bright as they learn and grow.
Jazmin
BCCA Volunteer of the Year
This year, we need you!
You can help to make this day memorable by donating HERE or through our Amazon Wishlist, where you can participate directly by selecting and purchasing gifts from our wish list. Every contribution helps to ensure that each child experiences the joy of giving and the warmth of the holiday season.
The spirit of the holidays continues beyond our Annual Holiday Shopping Day with Cookies with Santa. Each year, our children arrive at Anna House in their pajamas for story time, cookies, and a special visit from Santa. Each child receives a gift from their personal wish list, creating a moment of joy they’ll remember all year long. Every smile tells a story of hope, generosity, and love. Each gift given and received during this special time is a reminder that even the smallest acts of kindness can make the greatest difference.
