Nick Tomizawa, left to right, of the Briarwood Latchkey Generation; PS 117 parent Nicole Lopez; Executive Director of the Queens Chamber of Commerce Jack Friedman; Councilman Rory Lancman; and Robert Nemeroff, director of marketing and public affairs for the Melrose Credit Union, attend a press conference last week to announce funds have been raised that will allow the Briarwood school to hold its previously endangered graduation. Photo courtesy Queens Chamber of commerce
The Queens Chamber of Commerce teamed up with Briarwood’s PS 117 alumni and parents to raise a total $7,000 for this year’s graduating class to help pay for caps, gowns, a yearbook and other graduation expenses. It was a ceremony-saving donation that kept the curtains from putting a close on this year’s graduation celebration.
“The Queens Chamber of Commerce was proud to help the class of 2014, at PS 117, receive the graduation they deserve,” said Jack Friedman, executive director at the Queens Chamber of Commerce. “All the businesses that encompass the Chamber understand that they are part of the community, and when we heard that these students may not have a graduation, our immediate action was to figure out how we could support them.”
Fundraising at the school was put on hold last fall due to an investigation of the Parent Teacher Association once the Education Department suspected $30,000 missing from the group’s account. The Chamber asked its members to donate what they could at its annual installation of officers and directors while a “Briarwood Latchkey Generation” Facebook group dedicated to Briarwood residents also started its own campaign to help the class graduate.
“The vast majority of our members are small businesses who are part of their neighborhoods’ fabric, and when we heard about the lack of funds for PS 117 graduation, we immediately tried to figure out a way in which we could help,” said Albert F. Pennisi, president of the Chamber. “It was great to see all the members come together to help these students, and we wish them all the best in their future endeavors.”
Donations came from members of the board of the Queens Chamber of Commerce, Melrose Credit Union, New York Community Bank, TD Bank, Greater New York Auto Dealers Association, Plaza College and Thermos & Thomiava, PC. Mark Schienberg, president of the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association, spoke on his company’s behalf as one of the several groups to step up to foot the funds.
“Many car dealerships are small, family-owned businesses and being based in Queens, our membership understands the important role education plays in our communities,” he said. “We continue to support our communities through our various social initiatives, and were more than happy to work with the Queens Chamber of Commerce to help ensure that the students at PS 117 receive the graduation they have earned.”
Chamber leaders joined with community leaders, elected officials and students outside the PS 117 School in Briarwood last Friday to celebrate the major donation and look forward to graduation day next month. City Councilman Rory Lancman (D-Fresh Meadows) delivered praise to the Chamber for stepping up the fundraising efforts.
“The Queens Chamber of Commerce is doing right by the students and parents of PS 117,” he said. “Their donation will allow the families of these students to enjoy the results of their hard work and achievement at their graduation.”
The Briarwood Latchkey Generation was established as a Facebook page dedicated to the better interests of current and former residents of the Briarwood area. Nick Tomizawa, a representative of the group, stood at the PS 117 celebration last week to thank the community for its efforts and speak of his own group’s success as well.
“I am gratified that Briarwood residents and alumni of the school were able to support the graduating class of 2014,” he said. “it was truly a community effort and I wish the students all success in the future.”
By Phil Corso
