Dozens of elected officials, local leaders and members of the community joined together last night to celebrate Polish heritage last night in North Brooklyn.
The event was in honor of the 45th Anniversary of the Polish & Slavic Center (PSC), 176 Java Street in Greenpoint, which started back in 1972 as a non-profit social and cultural organization for new Polish immigrants in need of housing, employment and immigration services.
PSC now has more than 40,000 members making it the largest Polish-American organization on the East Coast and has served the community by providing various programs including “Meals On Wheels” for the elderly, recreational activities and educational scholarships for students.
“The Polish and Slavic Center has grown to become a very well-known and reliable institution. From our first location at 940 Manhattan Avenue, offering translation and housing services to new immigrants to the two new beautiful building in Greenpoint. This is really a success story,” said PSC CEO & President Bozena Kaminski.
Highlighting the extravagant dinner gala held at Giando on the Water, 400 Kent Avenue in Williamsburg was a program featuring both American and Polish traditions including a beautiful performance of the Polish national anthem, Poland Is Not Yet Lost, followed with the American national anthem.
Additionally, the event’s program featured a similar theme on the cover, a green apple on a background of white stars. The stars represented the American Flag, the apple represented “The Big Apple” – New York City, and the apple being green represented the neighborhood of Greenpoint.
Though Councilman Stephen Levin (D-Brooklyn Heights, DUMBO, Williamsburg, Boerum Hill) was unable to make the anniversary event, he did make sure to congratulate the center for their accomplishments.
“Throughout the years, the Polish Slavic Center’s commitment to service has brought comfort and relief to countless individuals. It has proven where there is goodwill and good work a person in need can overcome innumerable obstacles,” said Levin in a read statement.
State Assemblyman Joseph Lentol (D-Williamsburg, Greenpoint), who is of Slavic heritage having a Grandmother from the Ukraine, took the time to give a sentimental tribute to an organization that has been with him since the beginning of his lengthy career in public office.
“There is a great deal of history here, for me and for the center. In 1972 I was founded, at least in public office, and so was the Polish and Slavic Center. It wasn’t easy, I had to get right to work because there was this young priest, who came to all of the elected officials wanting us to work towards the establishment of the Polish and Slavic Center. And here we are today, you can see what the center has accomplished with the board of directors, a childcare center, proper senior citizen care, social services. We have the best organization. Polonia is my home, Polonia is my history, like it is your history,” said Lentol
The evening’s festivities also included a traditional Polish folk dance and music from a Polish-American Quartet.
