Students and parents from Uncommon Schools in Brooklyn joined State Sen. Jesse Hamilton (D-Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Gowanus, Park Slope, Prospect Heights, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, South Slope, Sunset Park) to distribute turkeys Tuesday to community members in need.
It was the third year that Uncommon Schools has partnered with the senator for what has become an annual Thanksgiving tradition.
“We are part of the community and when our kids grow up, we want to set the right example so they know that they have to give back when they get older as well,” said James Price, a parent at Uncommon Schools Leadership Prep Canarsie Elementary. “We are all in this together.”
Hundreds of turkeys were donated to Hamilton’s constituents during the drive. Uncommon Schools donated 30 turkeys to the effort. Also making donations were TD Bank, 1st American International Bank, BJs, Associated Supermarket, Compare Foods, Key Food, Met Food and Foodtown as well as the 71st Precinct of the New York Police Department and Local 372 DC 37.
“I am thankful for Uncommon Schools being such a strong partner in our community, devoted to educating our young people and nurturing the community so we all thrive together,” Hamilton said. “Our turkey drive represents an important part of that work, ensuring that many more families can have a truly happy Thanksgiving.”
The turkey drive took place at Full Gospel Assembly Church, 131 Sullivan Place in Crown Heights, where dozens of residents, including senior citizens and people living in temporary housing. The turkeys were also shared with local churches that serve meals to families in need during Thanksgiving.
“It is better to give than to receive,” said Gisell Beckles, a parent of Bed-Stuy Collegiate, who was helping to hand out the turkeys. “We all need to help one another that’s how you build a community.”
Uncommon Schools is a high-performing charter network that operates 23 schools in Brooklyn and serves 7,500 predominantly low-income students. Uncommon Schools has three schools in Hamilton’s district: Leadership Prep Brownsville Middle, Kings Collegiate and Brownsville Collegiate.
Uncommon Schools’ goal is not only to get students to college but through college. Uncommon’s students graduate from college at five times the rate of low-income students nationally.
It is not the first time Uncommon Schools has partnered with Hamilton. The school also participates in the senator’s holiday toy drive and his back-to-school drive, in which hundreds of book bags and supplies are given to students at the beginning of the school year.
Hamilton is among the sponsors of Uncommon Schools’ “I am Ready for Kindergarten” workbook, which prepares youngsters across Brooklyn to enter kindergarten. Some 2,000 workbooks were distributed for free across Brooklyn.
Uncommon Schools also supports “The Campus,” the senator’s initiative that provides after-school programs focused on technology and mental wellness to children in Brownsville.
