Mayor Mike Spano with Adonis Crosby and his generous backpack donation

In a heartwarming act of generosity, ten-year-old Adonis Crosby has supported Mayor Mike Spano’s 13th annual Backpack to School fundraiser. Adonis Crosby is known as a humble, ambitious, outgoing, loving and energetic young man who is involved in the Yonkers community.

At just four years old, Yonkers resident Adonis Crosby began reciting the Pledge of Allegiance at various events in the City of Yonkers. Notable organizations he has lent his voice to include the National Council of Negro Women-Hudson Valley Section (Women’s History Month), City of Yonkers Department of Veteran Services (Veteran’s Day & Gold Star Mothers Ceremony), Yonkers African American Heritage Committee (Black History Month Program), and Mayor Mike Spano’s Black History Month Program. He also sang during the Kwanzaa celebration. Adonis recited the Pledge of Allegiance during the Mayor’s 2022 State of the City Address and the City of Yonkers 9/11 Ceremony.

Within the community, he enjoys being involved in various initiatives that focus on empowering youth and the community as a whole. Adonis was featured in the City of Yonkers’ 2020 Census video campaign that educated the community of Yonkers on the importance of completing the census form. The overall message and community support led to the City of Yonkers being nationally recognized as the third most educated city in New York.

Adonis helped launch Yonkers Police Department and AAA Hudson Valley’s annual traffic safety program, “Schools Open, Drive Carefully,” which aims to remind drivers to be extra cautious behind the wheel as children finish summer vacation and head back to school.

Adonis is used to giving back. He has donated some of his savings to support the annual WWR Community Day in his neighborhood. He also participated in their Halloween photoshoot, which led to him being chosen to be featured in his special operations costume in the 2023 WWR calendar for the month of November.

In January 2023, Adonis was nominated by Pamela’s Big Heart Foundation, earning him the Lifetime Achievement Award (the highest honor for volunteerism) from President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. That same year, Adonis presented an MLK moment during the Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast at the Nepperhan Community Center, and in 2024, he had the honor of introducing guest speaker Rev. Dr. Nigel O. Cole of Community Baptist Church in Yonkers. Addition

Editor’s Note: Reading about Adonis got me thinking about helping others and doing a little more. I hope it touches you in the same way.