Paul Rudolph, third from right, who owns the Walker Funeral Home, was named as the Woodhaven Residents’ Block Association’s Man of the Year at the group’s annual dinner fundraiser last week. Rudolph was joined by his wife and children, as well as Councilman Eric Ulrich, left, state Sen. Michael Gianaris, second from left in the back, state Assemblyman Mike Miller, second from right, and state Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr., right. Photo Courtesy Josephine Wendell
The Woodhaven Residents Block Association held its 42nd annual fundraiser last week to celebrate another year of protecting the South Queens community.
The event, held at Joe Abbracciamento Restaurant in Rego Park, honored community members hailed as inspirations in a tight-knit neighborhood and was attended by a bevy of politicians, including U.S. Rep. Nydia Velazaquez (D-Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan), as well as state and city legislators.
“We seek to keep open communications between our residents, our elected officials and the police,” WRBA President Ed Wendell said of his organization. “We want to bring issues to the table and work behind the scenes to resolve problems.”
The organization looks to prevent graffiti, residential noise and illegal housing, along with dealing with a myriad issues facing the Woodhaven community – including crime. Wendell and other WRBA members have recently discussed launching a citizens’ patrol unit that would help officers in the 102nd Precinct – now plagued by a variety of crime, including sexual assaults in Forest Park and alleged gang activity at the London Planetree skate park on the border of Woodhaven and Ozone Park.
“We are celebrating 42 years of fighting for Woodhaven,” said Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park). “We care about keeping streets safe, give a good quality of life and children being able to go to good school.”
The night kicked off by honoring individuals who WRBA members said have been the cornerstones of the community for years. Paul Rudolph Jr., the owner of Walker Funeral Home, won Man of the Year. Woman of the Year went to Patti Eggers, an educator at St. Thomas the Apostle.
Former Man of the Year and current Assemblyman Mike Miller (D-Woodhaven) heaped praised on the WRBA.
“You guys get a lot of things done,” Miller said. “You are a phenomenal organization. You guys go above and beyond and do a great job.”
Miller was not the only one in attendance giving thanks to the association and all that they do.
“You guys care about where they work and the beauty of Woodhaven,” said state Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. “Thank you for what you do for our community.”
The night also honored Hall of Fame inductee Ohlert-Ruggiere, Inc, which is celebrating more than 100 years of business on Jamaica Ave. American Legion Woodhaven Post No. 118 was named Organization of the Year.
Along with lauding various individuals and groups, the WRBA celebrated that the Forest Park Carousel has been landmarked.
The association was presented with a plaque to commemorate the announcement.
“Woodhaven is one of the greatest neighborhoods in New York City because of the people that live there. They really care,” said Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley (D-Middle Village).
The association’s main goal is to support the Woodhaven community.
“We do fundraising for different things; we support little league teams,” said Wendell.
The association combats graffiti by thinking out of the box, members said.
“We do not only paint over it, which is just a temporary cure,” Wendell said. “What we do is photograph tags and share them with the police. Last year one person was arrested, and the police were able to go through the catalog we provided and add additional charges.” The association also combats residential noise, by creating a program called Noise Busters, where people can call in noise issues.
The WRBA’s actions do not go unnoticed.
“Thank you for all the work you do to make Woodhaven a great place to work and live,” Velazquez said. “You care about the quality of life in the community.”
Going forward, the WRBA’s goal is to spread the word about them to more people in the Woodhaven community.
“Our goal is too reach out to more people, because, as many people as we are reaching, it is still so far short of where we need to be,” said Wendell, who added that they want to inspire “more people to get out and care.”
By Michael Florio
