Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester First to Explore DreamWorks Animation's "North Pole Adventure"

More than one dozen elated preschoolers from the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester were the very first to experience DreamWorks Animation’s “North Pole Adventure,” Thursday, Nov. 6 at Westchester’s Ridge Hill. “The North Pole Adventure,” an interactive transformation of the classic holiday visit with Santa, sends children on a journey to the North Pole in a glowing 40-foot tall, 2,000-square-foot holiday house in the center of Ridge Hill’s Town Square.

Ridge Hill is the first of eight DreamPlace North Pole Adventure locations across the U.S., and the only one in the New York City metro area this holiday season.

Special guests at the Adventure’s launch on Nov. 6 included DreamWorks Animation President and CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg, Kathryn Welch, executive vice president and director of retail development, Forest City Ratner, developer and owner of Ridge Hill, Yonkers Deputy Mayor Sue Gerry, in addition to characters Shrek and Santa Claus.

Children from the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester were specially selected to be the first in line for the Adventure’s magical debut in recognition of the Club’s success in improving literacy, graduation rates, and healthy lifestyles.

“We are honored to be the guests of DreamWorks Animation and Forest City Ratner for the launch of this one-of-a-kind holiday experience,” said Brian Skanes, executive director of the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester. “The children’s faces were illuminated with wonder. What a truly special way for us to kick off the holiday season.”

Throughout the holiday season, Ridge Hill will be sponsoring a toy drive to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester, the Boys & Girls Club of Mount Vernon, and the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle. New, unwrapped toys may appropriate for children ages 3 to 12 may be dropped off at the Holiday Tree in the lobby of the WESTMED building at Ridge Hill (73 Market Street, Yonkers, NY) now through December 14.

“The North Pole Adventure” is now open through Dec. 24 at Westchester’s Ridge Hill.

About the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester
Celebrating its 75th year, the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester remains dedicated to its mission to inspire and enable young people, especially those who need it most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. A non-profit organization established in 1939, the Club has served more than 100,000 youth and welcomed nearly 10,000 volunteers, staff and board members over the years. Located in Mt. Kisco, NY, the Club’s 36,000-square-foot facility features an eight-lane pool, Child Care Center, gymnasium, game room and two computer labs, and an additional 1,600-foot Teen Center facility. The Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester currently serves 1,700 boys and girls ages 6 months to 18 years, from more than 60 Northern Westchester communities. The Club has been ranked among the outstanding Clubs in the national network of Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

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