Holiday Lights on Manhattan Avenue 2023-2024

Hello, My name is Donna Siafakas, owner of Peter Pan Donut & Pastry Shop. This year we are looking to raise $40,000.00 for the holiday lights to be hung and lit on Manhattan Avenue this holiday season. Greenpoint is a special place where locals and visitors alike can come together to enjoy the heart of Brooklyn. We live in the best neighborhood so let's come together to bring cheer and joy to Greenpoint! Nick from Greenpoint Florist, Ed from Cato’s Army and Navy store, Herman from Greenpoint Toys & myself are asking for assistance with donations to bring the community together. We are working again with 'Illuminations by Arnold’ to help light up our community. Your donation, large or small, is a blessing.

We want to clarify for you all how we go about paying for the lights. The holiday lights that go up from Box Street to Driggs Avenue cost between 35k and 40k a year. The bulk of this bill is paid by business owners on and around Manhattan Avenue. Since some businesses have suffered losses to covid and other factors we have posted a gofundme page to assist in reaching the total bill. All donations go directly to Illuminations by Arnold, and any excess we may receive goes towards next year's bill. Under no circumstances do we want anyone from the community to feel a pressure or obligation to donate. We understand there are a lot more causes and organizations that can use the donations. We only set up a gofundme for those in the community who wanted to donate and have approached us in the past with interest to do so. If anyone has taken our gofundme as a demand or a pressure to donate, we sincerely apologize as we would never intend such a thing. We do this for the community as a community, and we hope the lights bring a little more joy to your holiday season. Thank you and happy holidays!

Sincerely, Donna Siafakas