Toys For Tots was one of the many causes to which the Woodhaven Residents’ Block Association contributed in 2014.
Photo Courtesy of Joey Wendell
With an eye on an eventful 2014, and the other on the coming year, the Woodhaven Residents’ Block Association last Saturday held its annual holiday celebration at Emanuel United Church of Christ on 91st Avenue.
The active area civic organization received season’s greetings from U.S. Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-Queens, Brooklyn and Manhattan) and took time to reflect on a busy year full of advocacy, causes and contributions.
“[We] had yet another productive year in 2014,” said WRBA Communications Director Alex Blenkinsopp. “Two initiatives that capture the flavor of what we did recently are our major clean-up of the Mary Whalen Playground in Forest Park, and our ongoing efforts with the Sanitation Department to reform its procedures regarding illegally posted signs and middle-of-the-night ticketing. Whether bringing the community together or trying to work with city agencies and officials to improve their processes, WRBA members have been making a difference for our community.”
Ed Wendell, past president of the WRBA, echoed Blenkinsopp’s observations, adding that the community can expect more of the same from the civic in 2015.
“The WRBA continued to establish itself as a service organization that always finds ways to help the community, whether it be through cleaning up parks or graffiti or by helping to raise money for people in need,” Wendell told The Forum. “I believe that in the past year, under new President Martin Colberg, the WRBA has really begun to find its voice in fighting on behalf of the little guy, particularly in [our] battle to get DSNY to find a more fair and common-sense approach to enforcing sanitation rules.”
By Michael V. Cusenza
