44 FEBRUARY 24 - MARCH 2, 2017 BROOKLYN MEDIA GROUP Ridge flaunts its small town vibe BY URWAH AHMAD [email protected] It was flapjacks by the hundreds, and bacon and eggs to boot, on Saturday, February 11 as Bay Ridge Cares hosted a community pancake breakfast. A little over 200 people had reserved spots at the event, which was held at Holy Cross, 8501 Ridge Boulevard. “Bay Ridge Cares is really focusing our year on community and bringing people together on common ground," said Karen Tadross, president of Bay Ridge Cares. "One of the things we always talk about at Bay Ridge Cares is that Bay Ridge is a small town in a big city. If you go to any small town, one of the key events is the community pancake breakfast. That is why we decided to do this. It also allows us to get to know the people that we serve and for them to get to know what we do.” “This is the first of its kind but it reflects the kind of feeling that we've had in Bay Ridge for a long time that we care for each other, that it really is a small town in a big city, and we celebrate our diversity, and we strive to live in harmony with that diversity, and I think we in Bay Ridge do a great job of it," added Councilmember Vincent Gentile. "We become an example to the rest of the country that we can be diverse but we can still work together like a small town in a big city.” One of the missions of the event was to bring together people who might not normally get to know each other, Tadross said. “When we envisioned this event, we envisioned people talking to each other, meeting people that they have never met before," she explained. "We specifically decided to seat people with ones they did not know. Our goal for today was that everyone walks out of here having had a conversation with someone they would not normally have had in their daily life. We have a hospitality committee that's going around to all the tables and getting people talking to each other, we put together little chat bags with subjects in them to help them start a conversation." Besides the breakfast, there was also activities like Bay Ridge based trivia, coloring for kids, and writing statements on hearts. “It is a beautiful event,” said resident Bay Ridge Cares held a community pancake breakfast earlier this month. Francine Nittolo. "I love the 'what do you love about Bay Ridge' wall, and it was great getting together with neighbors and having breakfast." "The way to a person's heart is BROOKLYN MEDIA GROUP/Photo by Urwah Ahmad always through the stomach, so this is the way to get a community to come together, this is the way to have a community fall in love with each other," remarked Assemblymember Pamela Harris who helped serve at the event. The event was catered by Tom’s Restaurant. In addition, according to Tadross, more than 50 volunteers "helped set up, serve and clean up." Annual blood drive to honor late school custodian BY DANIELLE KOGAN [email protected] The fourth annual blood drive at P.S. 102 on the afternoon of March 16 is one that its organizer hopes will keep making a positive difference in the community. "I try to make it more than just a blood drive," said June Johnson, who holds the event at the school, 211 72nd Street, in memory of her son and former school janitor Mathiew Johnson who died of a heart attack in August, 2013. She, alongside her grandchildren and other volunteers, makes a point to set up craft stations for children as well as provide food and prizes for participants. "People come out when it's someone they know," said Johnson. Previously, two of her grandchildren have given blood and are planning to give again this year. Her daughter Christine has also donated, and admitted it was not as scary as anticipated when she donated in the past. A scene from last year’s blood drive. For those on the fence Johnson said, "It doesn't cost you any money. It's only 15 to 20 minutes, and it really can help save a life." The local community and staff at P.S. 102 is a group Johnson credits with being key to the event's success. From PTA member Margaret Sheri putting up flyers to school Principal Cornelia Sichenze spreading the word, there's an entire crowd that Johnson said reassure her that "he loved it there, and they loved him BROOKLYN MEDIA GROUP/file photo there. It feels a little bit like going home." The outreach has succeeded in drawing new people to event, including one immigrant who donated to help and wanted to connect to the community. "People stay, they talk, they have a sandwich," she said. For Johnson, making the drive a place for people to connect is how she feels she has succeeded in making a difference. The blood drive will take place from 3 to 7:30 p.m.
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