4 The Courier sun • DECEMBER 31, 2015 for breaking news visit www.qns.com Photo courtesy of Assemblyman David Weprin Assemblyman David Weprin helped donate 400 toys to the children of the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Queens. Event participants with some of the toys given away at the Saratoga Family Inn. REGISTER NOW TO JOIN YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY BOARD By Robert Pozarycki rpozarycki@queenscourier.com /@robbpoz Anyone interested in making their neighborhood a better place is encouraged now to apply for membership with their local community board through the Queens Borough President’s office. Borough President Melinda Katz announced on Dec. 22 that she is accepting applications for prospective members of all 14 advisory bodies representing every corner of Queens. The boards consider and make recommendations on various projects and policies affecting their neighborhood, including land use matters, and hold public hearings to engage public opinion. “Serving on a community board is a significant commitment, demanding in both time and energy,” Katz said in a statement. “Any civic-minded resident willing to make this commitment is encouraged to consider applying. All candidates — both new applicants and those re-applying for an additional term — are evaluated based on the relevant experiences they bring to the table.” Each community board has up to 50 volunteer members who serve two-year terms. The borough president appoints each member, with half of all candidates nominated by their local City Council member. Those wishing to join a community board have until Jan. 29, 2016, to submit their applications; current board members whose terms are expiring in 2016 have until Jan. 22 to submit applications for renewal. All applications are subject to review by local elected officials, according to Katz. Vicky Morales Casella, Katz’s longtime aide, was appointed by the borough president on Dec. 21 to serve as director of community boards, succeeding new City Councilman Barry Grodenchik. In her new role, Casella will screen all board applications and serve as Katz’s chief adviser for all matters related to community boards. To obtain an application for community board membership, visit http://queensbp.org/communityboards 2/, or call 718-286-2900 for more info. Photo courtesy of the 1906 Project THE COURIER/Photo by Alina Suriel Take part in the civic process by joining your local community board, Queens Borough President Melinda Katz advised. Local pol shows holiday spirit and donates toys to Richmond Hill children By Anthony Giudice agiudice@ridgewoodtimes.com/@a_giudicereport The Boys and Girls Club of Metro Queens had some extra holiday spirit this week. Assemblyman David Weprin joined John J. DeCristoforo, COO of the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Queens, and others on Dec. 23 to donate collected toys to youngsters at the Richmond Hill organization. The holiday toy drive, which was arranged by Weprin’s district office and began in November, was arranged to benefit charitable organizations including the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Queens and the Once Upon a Time school. With an incredible show of support from many community organizations, schools and residents all throughout Queens, Weprin’s district offices received more than 400 toys for children of all ages. The toys included some of the most popular gifts of the season, including Elsa dolls from Disney’s “Frozen,” air hockey tables and Melissa & Doug train sets. The toys were given out to more than 300 children at the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Queens with each child receiving a gift relative to their age and choice. The remaining toys were donated to local schools and charities, including the Once Upon a Time school in Richmond Hill. JAMAICA HOMELESS SHELTER HOSTS HOLIDAY TOY GIVEAWAY By Alina Suriel asuriel@queenscourier.com @alinangelica Some Christmas cheer was provided last week to those who need it the most. More than 250 young girls and boys were treated to a magic show, gift giveaway and face painting as part of an annual holiday celebration in a Jamaica family homeless shelter. Children of all ages were guests at the event at the Saratoga Family Inn on Dec. 22. Food and music put all in a festive mood but the best part was the live magic show in which several youngsters were invited to participate on stage. Councilman Donovan Richards provided toys for the event through local donations to his office. He thanked the community for providing these donations and the local nonprofit 1906 Project for putting together the event. “The holiday season is a time for giving, particularly to those who are less fortunate, which is why it is important that we never forget to make sure every child in the community has a gift to open on Christmas morning,” Richards said. The celebration was sponsored by 1906 Project, and other co-sponsors included former New York Jet Michel Faulkner, President of EG Edwards & Associates Eva Duzant and Attorney Eric Sanders of the Sanders Firm. “This Christmas is all about giving and we are very grateful for the opportunity to imitate God’s character in every area,” Faulkner said. According to the 1906 Project, the Saratoga Family Inn is one of the largest family homeless shelters in New York City, providing temporary housing to more than 250 families and 375 children. The 1906 Project has been working with the Saratoga Family Inn staff to put on an annual holiday event for the past eight years, and in this time the group has given out more than 1,500 toys to children in southeast Queens. “These children and their families have faced challenges, so it warms your heart when you are able to bring smiles to their faces and families during this holiday season,” said 1906 Project President Jean Duchatellier.
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