O’Neill’s restaurant and NYPD Honor Legion to host annual Widows and Orphans Christmas Party

O’Neill’s and the NYPD Honor Legion are teaming up once again for their annual Widows and Orphans Christmas Party on Friday, Dec. 6.

For about 30 years, the event has brought together families and friends who have lost a loved one that served in the NYPD for an afternoon of Christmas fun.

“It’s all about giving a little sunshine or a smile for a kid who lost a parent who was a police officer,” Danny Pyle, O’Neill’s co-proprietor, told QNS.

The invite-only event will take place at O’Neill’s restaurant on 64-21 53rd Dr. from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be a complimentary buffet provided by O’Neill’s and a host of activities designed by the NYPD Honor Legion, including a demonstration with police on horseback, NYPD dogs, robots and drones.

“The NYPD Honor Legion is the oldest fraternity organization within the department and we’ve been doing this event for many years,” a spokesperson for the NYPD Honor Legion told QNS. “We’ll have gifts for kids from newborns to 13-year-olds and gift cards for the widows.”

Santa Claus will also join the party. According to Pyle, Santa has flown in from an NYPD helicopter in past events.

O’Neill’s, who’s been a staple in Maspeth for 86 years, has hosted more than 100 people for this event and they expect the same this year.

The NYPD Honor Legion feels the event is particularly important, as they don’t want the widows and children “to think they’re ever forgotten.”