Margaret Finnerty is flanked by state Sen. James Sanders (l. to r.), U.S. Rep. Greg Meeks and Assemblyman Mike Miller on Thursday night as they celebrated the Richmond Hill South Civic Association’s $2 million coupon milestone. Photo by Michael V. Cusenza
A couple of years ago, Assemblyman Mike Miller (D-Woodhaven) made a promise to Margaret Finnerty, president of the Richmond Hill South Civic Association. The group had just celebrated reaching its goal of cutting out and collecting $1 million in coupons to send to U.S. troops serving overseas and their families.
“I said, ‘If you get to two million, I’ll throw you a party,’” Miller recalled.
He kept that promise on Thursday night, as Finnerty and the RHSCA celebrated reaching the $2 million mark at the Knights of Columbus hall on Lefferts Boulevard with awards, food and flags.
“This is a real, tremendous milestone for them,” Miller told The Forum. “I’m just happy to be involved. To have a night like tonight is fabulous.”
State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. presented RHSCA member Peggy Cerese with a Senate proclamation on Thursday in recognition of her efforts in cutting out more than $180,000 in coupons. Photo by Michael V. Cusenza
Finnerty got the idea for the manufacturers coupons while at a disabled veterans convention with her husband. She learned that while armed-forces personnel were allowed to use the coupons overseas, they had tremendous difficulty finding them. It took six years for Finnerty and friends to reach their latest goal.
“Each one of you here tonight who cut coupons, you’re special,” said Finnerty, who spends $50 to $75 of her own money each month to mail the valuable coupons to the soldiers. “You’re doing for someone who doesn’t have.”
U.S. Rep. Greg Meeks (D-Jamaica) praised Finnerty’s work and implored the audience to always be mindful of past and present service members.
“Freedom can, at times, be taken for granted,” he said. “But freedom comes at a cost sometimes.”
By Michael V. Cusenza
