All is calm outside the Holiday Inn Express in Maspeth after months of protests at the hotel turned homeless shelter. But inside, local high school students are brightening up the holiday season for more than 30 homeless men who live there.
"Coming here, like in person, really shows that I do care about these people," said volunteer Alfred Chan. "That we're giving back to the community."
"There's been a lot of protests and we just want to make sure they feel supported," said Ryan Chang, another volunteer.
City Mission, a non-profit helping residents living at various shelters in Queens, organized a gift drive. The volunteers collected toiletries and basic necessities for the men. Holiday Inn resident Tysheim Gordon says he appreciates the volunteers taking the time to think of others.
"They don't have to do that,” said Gordon, who has lived at the shelter for the past month. “Everybody have their own life. To do this is kind of, basically like giving back to people who don't have too much to give."
Residents say the gifts really lift their spirits during the holiday season.
"It's nice; it's real nice you know what I mean? It's always good to give," said Tyrone Burton, who lives at the Holiday Inn.
"Oh it's huge," said Carl Brennan, who lives at the Holiday Inn. "I don't have any family here. It's giant."
City Mission volunteers hope to give the gift that keeps on giving, by offering free resume help to the residents.
"It is a tool that I think everyone should have," said City Mission founder, Lester Lin. "You know, and it is basically teaching and giving them a resource where they can go out and be empowered."
But most of all, the volunteers say seeing smiles on the faces of others is the best gift they'll receive this holiday season.