This holiday season was truly one to remember at Seva Equitable. Thanks to the generosity, collaboration, and tireless efforts of our partners, donors, and volunteers, our Season of Care: Holiday Hygiene & Hope Drive made a meaningful difference for hundreds of New Yorkers during one of the most challenging times of the year.
At the heart of this effort was our 2025 Community Leader Grant from the Citizens Committee for New York City, which was critical to making this initiative possible. This support, combined with BNY’s generous Giving Tuesday contribution and donations from our incredible community of individual donors, enabled us to expand both the scale and the quality of what we could provide.
Over 800 Hygiene Kits Distributed with Dignity and Care
This season, Seva Equitable assembled and distributed more than 800 comprehensive hygiene kits, thoughtfully designed to support health, comfort, and dignity. Each kit included:
- Pack of tissues
- Pair of socks
- Razors
- Compressed towels
- Emergency blanket
- Tylenol
- Body wash
- Deodorant
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Bandages
- Antibiotic ointment
- Granola bar
- Cotton swabs
- Petroleum Jelly Skin Protectant
- Laundry detergent
- Sewing kit
- Face mask
- Body wipes
We are especially grateful to Cathedral Community Cares of St. John the Divine, who provided socks—originally donated by Bombas—that were included in the hygiene kits distributed back to their community.
Reaching the Community Through Trusted Partners
The kits were distributed through long-standing and trusted community partners, ensuring they reached individuals and families who needed them most. Distribution sites included:
- Cathedral Community Cares of St. John the Divine
- St. Michael’s Saturday Kitchen
- Coalition for the Homeless
- New York Common Pantry
By working alongside organizations already deeply embedded in their communities, we were able to maximize reach, trust, and impact.
Spreading Joy to Children During the Holidays
In addition to hygiene support, Seva Equitable was proud to deliver Christmas gift packages to children, bringing moments of joy and normalcy to the season. These gift packages included classic, old-school toys—like Slinky toys and Yo-Yos—and were distributed through:
- New York Common Pantry Toy Giveaway
- Harlem Community School District Toy Giveaway
These simple gifts reminded us that sometimes, the smallest gestures create the biggest smiles.
Welcoming the New Year Together
Our season of care continued into the New Year with a special New Year’s meal, featuring rotisserie chicken, smoked turkey, apple pie, and collard greens—a meal rooted in tradition, celebration, and hope. The gathering also marked a personal milestone: celebrating 10 years of volunteering by Seva Equitable’s Founder and President, Lydell Tyson, who reached 3,500 volunteer hours between 2016 and 2026. It was a moment to honor service, perseverance, and community commitment.
Powered by Volunteers
None of this would have been possible without our volunteers. They worked tirelessly—packing kits, coordinating distributions, serving meals, and showing up with compassion and care.
Looking Ahead
This holiday season reaffirmed what we believe at Seva Equitable: when community comes together, real change happens. We are deeply grateful to every partner, donor, and volunteer who helped make this season impactful—and we’re excited to carry this momentum forward into the year ahead.
Thank you for being part of our Season of Care. Together, we are building a healthier, more compassionate New York City—one act of service at a time.
While no number of photos could truly capture the dedication and heart poured into this season, every kit packed and every meal served reflects the volunteers’ commitment.
