Each and every year, the Woodhaven Residents' Block Association holds a celebration.  At its heart, the event is a fundraiser for the organization, but it is also an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of those who live or work in our midst.  Around 150 residents come out to the party which was held this year at Joe Abbracciamento on Woodhaven Boulevard in Rego Park.  There are prizes and raffles and great food and great company.

 

There were great prizes, many of them donated by businesses in and around Woodhaven.  Among the many available prizes there was a free year of Karate lessons from Shorinjiryu Kenryukan Karate (980 Jamaica Avenue), free greens fees and cart rental (value $265) from the Forest Park Golf Course, a free special birthday party celebration at the Forest Park Carousel ($350 value), $500 worth of gift certificates from the House of Holidays, and a $1500 digital piano from Frank & Camille's on Atlantic Avenue (see below).

 

Each year, the WRBA produces a special dance journal to commemorate the evening.  Businesses sponsor the organization by purchasing ads in the journal -- and we hope that you will take a few moments to look through the journal and remember to reciprocate their support of the community.  

Click here to read the 2013 WRBA Dance Journal

We were honored to be joined by our 2012 Business of the Year, representatives of the Forest Park Carousel.  They presented the WRBA with a plaque commemorating their being announced as the 2nd Most Magical Carousel in the United States.  We happen to think it's #1 - but we're still proud of this accomplishment and of the folks at NY Carousel Entertainment - keep up the great work guys!!

 

The theme this year was the American Flag - and we had the tables covered in flags courtesy of the American Legion, Post 118 (our 2013 Organization of the Year).

The residents of Woodhaven came out to have a good time -- and they were not disappointed!

 

The honorees were brought out to the applause of the gathering of residents, friends and family. 

 

Here is video of the introduction of the honorees:

We were also joined by those who we have elected to represent us.  Earlier in the evening we had Councilman Eric Ulrich, State Senator Michael Gianaris, State Assemblyman Mike Miller and State Senator Joe Addabbo, Jr.  We took a few moments for them to address the room.

Here they are with our Man of the Year, Paul Rudolph, Jr. and his family.  Paul is the proprietor of Walker Funeral Home and a good friend to Woodhaven (read his profile here). 

 

Here is Paul, addressing the room, after being awarded 2013 Man of the Year:

Our Woman of the Year, Patti Eggers, is a familiar face around the halls of St. Thomas the Apostle.  She was very active last year with the WRBA during relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Sandy and she led the wonderful student video history project last spring.

 

Here is Patti, addressing the room, after being awarded 2013 Woman of the Year:

Our Woodhaven Hall of Famers -- Ohlert-Ruggiere, Inc., have been a mainstay on Jamaica Avenue for over a century.  Many families in Woodhaven have had their taxes done, rented apartments, planned for their future -- within the confines of Ohlert-Ruggiere. 

 

Here is the legendary Joe Ruggiere, who grew up in Woodhaven, was a student at St. Thomas the Apostle, accepting the award for Woodhaven Hall of Fame.

And finally, our Organization of the Year - the American Legion Post 118.  We solicited donations from residents to buy veterans tickets to the dinner -- and the response was overwhelming.  In fact, it was so overwhelming that we had more money than we had vets to buy tickets for.  So with the leftover money we are going to have a "Thank a Vet" barbecue next Saturday, June 14th (Flag Day) outside the American Legion.  You are, of course, all invited.

 

Here is Sgt. Major David Valentin accepting the award -- and the American Legion just overwhelms us by making a very generous donation of $500 to the Woodhaven Residents' Block Association. 

This was a fantastic night and we are so happy to be joined by so many special people.  We were also joined by our City Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley and our very special guest, Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez.

Here, Nydia and Elizabeth address the room:

And finally,over the past year we lost two wonderful residents of Woodhaven -- Roger Hennin and Joe Virgona.  We were very honored to be joined by Sue Virgona and we gave her a nice picture of her and Joe taken at the St. Thomas Mardi Gras.  She's a very special person.

 

And here we are acknowledging Joe and Roger at the dance:

It was a wonderful event -- and we look forward to doing it all over again next year in 2014.  And as we say goodbye, here are your WRBA members who work so hard to preserve the community of Woodhaven:

 

From left to right -- Giedra Kregzdys, Ed Wendell, Linda Fogal, Jan Chan-Smith, Vance Barbour, Martin Colberg, Arlene Annunziata, Alexander Blenkinsopp, Maria Thomson and Stephen Forte.

 

If you have any comments, or would like to suggest other projects, drop us a line at info@projectwoodhaven.com or projectwoodhaven@aol.com 

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Photos by Joey Wendell