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Huge Crowd Expected for Monday’s Sunnyside Relief Fundraiser, Tickets Available Online

GoFundMe

Dec. 16, 2018 By Christian Murray

The community’s massive outpouring of support for the individuals affected by Thursday’s devastating fire continues to grow.

Bars, restaurants and non-profit groups have all stepped up and the official fundraiser to be held Monday evening (Dec. 17) at Sunnyside Community Services is expected to be packed with residents who will have plenty of food, drink and entertainment to enjoy.

The price of admission is $20 and the entire sum will go toward the employees and owners of the six  businesses that were destroyed last week: Sidetracks, Zen Yai, UPS, New York Style Eats, Romantic Depot and Better Line Hardware.

All monies raised will be added to a GoFundMe page, established by Sunnyside Shines on Thursday night, that has already brought in more than $62,000 in just three days.

Nearly 30 restaurants are donating food and beverage for Monday’s fundraiser—with Turkish, Italian, Mexican, Himalayan, Irish, American and Colombian cuisine expected to be on offer. Wine and beer will also be served.

Several entertainers and artisans have also agreed to partake.  Nearly 500 residents have gone to Facebook to say they will attend and non-profit groups have announced that their members will be attending.

Sunnyside Shines, the lead organizer aided by 40 partnering groups, is now taking steps to cater to the anticipated crowd—given that Sunnyside Community Services—located at 43-31 39th Street– has a capacity for a little over 300.

The organization is now hosting two event sessions—with one taking place between 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and the second between 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. Tickets can now be bought online and organizers are asking people to buy prior to the event to avoid lines.

Logo designed by Patricia Dorfman

“When we started talking about the event on Friday, we secured the [Sunnyside Community Services] venue from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.,” said Jaime-Faye Bean of Sunnyside Shines. “But interest has exploded and we are running up against the occupancy level–so we have divided the event.”

The event–officially called the Sunnyside Relief Fundraiser–will also include a holiday pop-up market with goods from local artisans. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Sunnyside GoFundMe page.

The fundraiser will feature children’s activities such as face painting. “We want this to be a family event, where people bring their children,” Bean said.

There will also be a number of raffles, with items such as gift certificates and tickets to major sporting events on offer.

“This event has come together so quickly,” Bean said, who has been working over the weekend with the Sunnyside Chamber of Commerce, Queens Boulevard Bars, Skillman Project and many more. “It’s amazing how we have come together.”

DETAILS: 

Date: Monday, Dec. 17

Times: 6 pm-7:30 pm and 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Location: Sunnyside Community Services, 43-31 39th Street, Sunnyside

Click Here for Tickets

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5 Comments

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Sunnyside Everyside

Where is this money going? Aren’t these businesses insured? These are for profit establishments, and the property owner will get a windfall for his reconstruction project of an apartment building

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Zinsu

What a great event! Thanks to the organizers for putting it together so quickly. It made me feel really good about the neighborhood. Looks like a lot of money was raised.

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Charlotte Eisenkraft

I am heartbroken about the news of the fire. I retired and am now living in Minnesota. I truly loved the Sunnyside community of hard working immigrants. I frequented Sidetracks and valued the people there. I pray all concerned will be helped by the caring community I know them to be. Wish I were there to help.
God bless you for your efforts.

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