City Council member Eric Ulrich (R-Howard Beach), who represents several neighborhoods hit hard by the storm, has tapped The Doe Fund to help restore and clean up Charles Park and Hamilton Beach Park. The Doe Fund provides second chances for homeless and formerly incarcerated men and is best known for its “Ready Willing & Able” program.
The cleanup of the two area parks will enlist a nine member crew to complete the critical work. Recently, the Doe Fund did what has been termed by community members as a “spectacular job” in cleaning a one and a half-mile stretch of Cross Bay Boulevard between Howard Beach and Broad Channel. The crew bagged over 200 bags of garbage from the area, leaving it in great condition.
Councilman Ulrich was joined by George McDonald of the Doe Fund as well as Roger Gendron of the New Hamilton Beach Civic and Betty Braton, chairperson of Community Board 10, to launch an initiative to clean Charles and Hamilton Beach Park.
“Time and time again, The DOE Fund has demonstrated an enviable ability to rise to the occasion,” said Ulrich. “ By cleaning up Charles Park and the playground in Hamilton Beach, they are making a big difference and restoring some sense of normalcy for a community that was hit particularly hard by Hurricane Sandy. I can’t thank them enough.”
George McDonald, Founder and President of The Doe Fund was especially happy to assist the Councilman and the community. “For the past 25 years, New Yorkers have been so generous to The Doe Fund and to the ‘men in blue’—helping their fellow New Yorkers to re-establish their careers and become fathers to their children. We are grateful for the opportunity to give back. I thank Councilman Ulrich for thinking of us.”
Roger Gendron, President of the New Hamilton Beach Civic praised the councilman and the DOE Fund for their efforts. “It will only help lift the spirits of this community that was devastated by Hurricane Sandy six months ago.”
