Dear Editor:
I wish to extend my heartfelt thanks to all who participated in the Third Annual Family & Friends Hoboken Thanksgiving Buffet last month. Through the extraordinarily generous financial sponsorship and volunteer efforts of more than 40 kind members of our community, we were able to serve meals to roughly 250 seniors and Housing Authority residents.
The event took place Tuesday, Nov. 22, at two locations – the Multi-Service Center, primarily attended by seniors from all across town, and the 221 Jackson St. community room, primarily attended by downtown public-housing residents. The event was deeply appreciated by all who came, and provided a tremendous opportunity for people to spend quality time with family and old friends, as well as meet new people. Indeed, some of the volunteers had such a good time that they have since contacted me about remaining involved with serving the public-housing community. Each year the event seems to get bigger and better-attended, and is becoming a great Hoboken holiday tradition.
Many thanks to Luis Acevedo for lots of hard work helping organize, publicize and execute the event, and to the City of Hoboken, Mayor Dawn Zimmer and Health and Human Services Director Leo Pellegrini; and the Hoboken Housing Authority, Executive Director Carmelo Garcia, for providing facilities and support.
And many, many thanks to all of the following generous contributors:
Sponsors – Mayor Dawn Zimmer and Stan Grossbard, City of Hoboken Department of Health and Human Services Director Leo Pellegrini, Councilman Peter Cunningham, Councilman Tim Occhipinti, Toni Tommarrazzo, Cindy Cray, Tony Soares, Rabbi Robert Scheinberg, Dennis Shah and Vegetarian Vision, Frank Palmisano and Biggie’s Clam Bar, Rami and Miriam Pinchevsky, Mark Heyer, Amardeep Singh, Keith Furman, Michelle Sager, Chris Baldwin, Vijay Chaudhuri, Deirdre Wall and Greg Bond, Carrie Phillips, Frances Jennings, the staff of Harrison Scott Publications including Alison Waldman and Joy Selnick, LaTrenda Ross, Nanette Fornabai and Douglas Smith.
Volunteers – Housing Authority Commissioner Judy Burrell, Coach Hicks, Francine Gilliard, Erika Muller, Miriam Acevedo, Noah Acevedo, Tito Grahmz, Xavier Rivera, Evelyn Rodriguez, Sheryl Carrozza, Doris Oliver, Megan Grandetti and David Gonzalez.
Once again, thanks a million to all for your generosity, and to the attendees for coming out and making it such a warm and wonderful event.
Happy holidays to everyone, and all the best for a happy, healthy new year.
Sincerely,
Jake Stuiver
Hoboken Housing Authority