project renewal – Downtown Magazine

As we head into the last weekend before Santa makes his masked and socially distanced midnight ride, it’s time to make sure everyone on your list is taken care of. Here are some of my favorite NYC gifts to give and receive.

NYC Gifts Gem Spa Tote Bag — Gem Spa Tote Bag

Gem Spa streetwear

The legendary Lower East Side newsstand and purveyor of the world’s best egg creams may not be with us in the physical realm anymore, but they live on in their collection of hoodies, tee shirts, joggers, hats, totes, and of course, face masks! Give the gift of rock and roll and literary New York history. Gemspanyc.com

Fire Escapes of New York

NYC Gifts tenement museum ornament — Tenement Museum Fire Escape ornament

The Tenement Museum tells the story of the immigrant communities that came to our shores looking for a better life and helped create the New York City we all know and love today. While the museum is closed due to COVID, you can still sign up for a walking tour of the Lower East Side, or shop in what I consider to be the greatest New York gift shop in all of the five boroughs. Their newest ornament pays homage to that classic feature of New York life, the fire escape. Tenement.org

Cheers!

Hudson Whiskey is New York attitude, distilled. These fine spirits are handcrafted in Gardiner, New York, using grain from local, family farms. My personal favorite is Short Stack, a full-bodied New York Rye finished in maple syrup barrels. For stockists: hudsonwhiskey.com

Zen Holiday

Embrace the CBD lifestyle with TribeTokes, a woman-owned business located right here in the Meatpacking District, NYC. They have everything from tinctures and beauty products (try the green, superfood mask!), to vape pens. And the gummies, with 15mg of CBD each, make the perfect stocking stuffers. tribetokes.com

NYC Gifts CW Pencils Charm — CW Pencils Charm

Write Stuff

It’s no secret that I am obsessed with pencils so when I discovered CW Pencil Enterprise on Orchard Street, naturally I became a regular customer. Their website is packed with great gift ideas, but I particularly love this little 14k gold pencil charm, designed by Cass Lilien, an NYC-based jewelry designer. Perfect for the creative people in your life. cwpencils.com

NYC Gifts Russ & Daughters — Russ & Daughters

Appetizing

Russ & Daughters is a 106-year-old appetizing shop that is part of the rich culinary history of the New York Jewish community. It is also the BEST place to buy smoked salmon, pickled herring, whitefish, as well as bagels, bialys, halvah, dried fruits, and more. Create your own spread to nosh on, or have the team put together a stellar platter or gift box for the ultimate in NYC gifts. shop.russanddaughters.com

Splendid Decor

John Derian is known for his decoupage work, which appears on everything from plates to coasters, and it’s all produced right here in NYC. But his East Village shop is also filled with all kinds of sweet and cheerful items, including Steiff animals, ornaments, home décor, textiles, art, and vintage and antique finds. These jigsaw puzzles are perfect for stay-at-home days. This one is a 19^th century print of the Manhattan island. johnderian.com

NYC Gifts Arielle Sustainable Fashion — Arielle Medea Coat

Fashionista

Texas-born Arielle launched her eponymous brand in 2018, after over 10 years in the fashion industry. The fully sustainable label is committed to zero-waste, ethical sourcing, and elegant, lasting style. The Medea Coat is made from vegetarian shearling using Responsible Wool Standard American merino wool backed with Repreve®, made from recycled water bottles. Oversized lapels and welt pockets highlight a clean, straight cut with open front. Fully lined in organic cotton. Made in NYC. shop.arielle.com

Busy Bee

Bee Raw champions American family-run farms and apiaries and produces a collection of honey-based goods packaged in post-consumer paper, glass, and metal. Butchwax is a moisturizing balm that softens skin, made from beeswax, jojoba, rosemary, peppermint, and tea tree oils, and made right here in Industry City, Brooklyn, NYC. Beeraw.com

Give Give Give

The season of giving is also a great time to remember our neighbors in need, especially during this pandemic. Some of my favorite organizations with local roots are: Lower East Side Girls Club, Project Renewal, Girl Be Heard, Bowery Mission, DIFFA

Tickets are still available for the annual Project Renewal gala, to take place at Pier Sixty at the Chelsea Piers, on Tuesday, June 4, from 6-10pm. This year, the organization will honor Jonathan Rose of Jonathan Rose Companies. This visionary company, under the leadership of Rose, supports the well-being of communities by creating environmentally, socially, and economically responsible housing. Jonathan has partnered with Project Renewal to develop Bedford Green House, which will provide 234 apartments and support services and wellness amenities to low-income residents and families leaving homeless shelters.

The theme of this year’s gala will be “Project Renewal Works,” and will highlight the organization’s workforce development programs, including the Culinary Arts Training Program, City Beet Kitchens, Next Step, and the Next Step Internship Program. There will be a City Beet Kitchens tasting station at the gala, in addition to an auction, all benefitting the work of Project Renewal.

Project Renewal gala 2018 — Geoff Proulx, Chair of the Board of Trustees, at last year’s gala.

Last year’s gala raised $1.5 million, and was attended by nearly 600 guests who enjoyed cocktails, dinner, and a live auction. The event celebrated the Project Renewal new Bronx supportive and affordable housing development, Bedford Green House. The evening was sponsored with support from organizations such as Morgan Stanley, Hollister Construction Services, Gerner Kronick + Valcarcel, Architects, DPC, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, The Johnson Company, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, The Brodsky Organization, Capital One, Delaware North Companies, Fisher Brothers, Guardian Life, ICON Interiors, Jonathan Rose Companies, J.T. Magen & Company, Lane Office, Northwell Health, Sera Security Services, SterlingRisk Insurance and White Hare Solutions.

MISSION: Project Renewal is a New York City-based nonprofit organization that works to end the cycle of homelessness by empowering individuals and families to renew their lives with health, homes and jobs. The organization’s innovative programs are designed to end the revolving door of emergency rooms, jails, shelters, and the streets. For over 50 years, their pioneering approach has created uniquely integrated and comprehensive programs that are replicated around the nation, helping even beyond the 16,000 homeless New Yorkers Project Renewal serves every year. To purchase tickets to the gala, or to donate, visit events.projectrenewal.org.