You are reading

Local Boys & Girls Club Holds Fundraiser

Brent O’Leary, Vanessa Lockel, Assemblyman Michael Gianaris, Vinny Renda (Photo: QueensPost)

Oct. 26, 2010 By Christian Murray

More than 30 residents joined forces to raise money for a local Boys & Girls Club last Friday – as momentum for the club grows.

The residents attended what’s known as “Happy Hour with Purpose”, where the group met for drinks at Bar 43 in Sunnyside, and raised money for the club.

The event, which was led by Vinny Renda and James Arbona, was the second “Happy Hour with Purpose” held by the group. Two months ago, there was one at the Fire Water Inn on Skillman Ave.

This time, the group raised more than $600.

To date, the Boys & Girls Club founders, which began their quest about a year, have raised about $18,000. Their goal is to have their own club house, equipped with a gymnasium, a computer lab and other facilities.

“There is a shared, growing concern that in our community children today don’t have the same resources that previous generations were afforded,” Renda said. “We believe we need a structural setting to equally guide both the basketball players and scientists of tomorrow.

The group has received a $5,000 grant from Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer’s office; $500 from the local Lion’s club; $5,000 from a fundraiser held by Liz Owens (in memory of her brother’s death); and proceeds from events/ and other charitable giving.

Residents are able to donate to the group by going to http://www.swbgc.org

Assemblyman Michael Gianaris (District 36)—who is a strong favourite to win the NYS senate District 12 seat next week—was in attendance. He was at the Fire Water Inn event two months ago and has been actively involved with the group for months.

Renda is in the midst of organizing the group’s next fundraising event – Dancing with the Stars. The event will be held on Saturday, Nov. 20, at St. Raphael’s School Auditorium.

More details to come.

email the author: news@queenspost.com
No comments yet

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

Queens Distance Runners mark 10 years with milestone marathon at Flushing Meadows

Apr. 24, 2025 By Paulina Albarracin

Runners filled the paths of Flushing Meadows-Corona Park on March 30 for the Queens Marathon, joined by the QDR Half Marathon and 10K events. Since its inception, the Queens Marathon has done more than test endurance—it has celebrated the borough’s diverse communities and encouraged participants to support local businesses and organizations. This year marked a special milestone as the flagship event of Queens Distance Runners (QDR) celebrated its 10th anniversary, reaffirming its place as Queens’ premier race experience and igniting excitement across the scenic park grounds.

“We don’t know who we can trust”: Advocates push for New York For All Act to shield immigrants from ICE enforcement

Apr. 24, 2025 By Jimmy Robles

As deportations keep growing in the communities of New York, the fight to protect the immigrant community from immigration enforcement agencies such as ICE is urging. Even residents with no criminal history or legal status in the United States have become at risk of deportation, causing them to live with constant fear of being separated from their families.