Dear Editor:
The Hoboken Housing Authority’s “Family & Friends” Health Fair was a tremendous success, and it couldn’t have happened without the help and support of a broad array of community leaders who came together for a good cause.
The event, which centered on the theme “You Are What You Eat,” featured a cookoff in which Housing Authority residents were given recipes and ingredient lists for healthy meals and brought them out for a panel of judges. The winners, Toleda Hicks and Esther Rodriguez, will receive gift cards to local restaurants.
Many thanks to Assemblyman Ruben Ramos Jr. and Freeholder Anthony Romano Jr., who bought refreshments for the event and served on the cookoff judging panel. Many thanks also to Mayor Dawn Zimmer, City Council President Peter Cunningham, Housing Authority Executive Director Carmelo Garcia and Health and Human Services Director Leo Pellegrini, who also served as judges and helped in many other ways. Thanks especially to Director Garcia and Save the Youth Academy Director Luis Acevedo, who worked like crazy to help organize this wonderful event and without whom it would not have been possible.
A heartfelt thank you also goes to Fourth Ward Councilman Michael Lenz, who gave a moving talk on his own improved diet that’s enabled him to lose 150 pounds, and to Councilman David Mello, who also lives in the neighborhood and is always supportive of community activities like this. Thanks also to my fellow HHA commissioners who attended, Vice Chair Dominic Lisa and Eduardo Gonzalez.
And, speaking of people in the neighborhood who lent their support, I cannot offer enough thanks to Ian Rintel and Hoboken Golf, who brought a full mini-golf course to set up on the ballfield for kids to play. The kids enjoyed the experience immensely, and participated in a competitive round to win bicycles and scooters. And thanks to HOPES and Hoboken Family Planning, which hosted information tables that made the event extremely well-rounded in terms of the content and services available to residents.
Thanks also to Hashway’s Deli & Catering, which, as with previous Housing Authority events, provided great food at a great price. Finally, thanks to karate instructor Ray Rodriguez and trainer George Laserna of Club H Fitness, who were on hand to teach the kids about various forms of fitness and keeping healthy.
The health fair was part of a series kicked off last September, and will be followed by another event June 5, with more details to follow. Our commitment is to promote healthy and active lifestyles among our residents while fostering a strong sense of community and bringing people together for fun and informative activities.
Sincerely,
Jake Stuiver