Peralta Distributes More than 1,600 Winter Coats to People in Need
State Sen. Jose Peralta (D-Corona, East Elmhurst, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, Woodside in coordination with sponsors, donated more than 1,600 winter coats to families and individuals in need as part of the Senator’s annual coat drive.
The jackets will now be distributed by several local- and faith-based organizations.
Teaming up with Peralta on the drive were the Burlington Coat Factory, Delivering Good, Delta Airlines and New York Cares. As it occurred the past few years, the annual coat drive took place at Peralta’s district office in East Elmhurst.
The coat drive began in 2011, when about 250 winter jackets were given. Now, the initiative is in full drive. For the past eight years, more than 10,000 coats were distributed to people in need.
“Sadly, some hard-working families and neighbors cannot afford to buy winter coats as they struggle to make ends meet, this is why it is very important to me we ensure they can keep warm during the harsh winter months,” said Peralta. “Every year we are able to donate winter coats to those who need them, and this is possible thanks to the cooperation of our co-sponsors.
“Delta is proud to participate in Senator Peralta’s annual coat drive for the 10th straight year,” said Ginny Elliott, Delta’s managing director for LGA operations. “This year, our LaGuardia Airport employees donated 250 coats to organizations and individuals in need. We are honored to give back to communities in which we live, work, and serve.”
“We are immensely grateful for partners like Senator Peralta whose collection efforts mirror that of the New York Cares Annual Coat Drive, now in its 29th year, but also for sharing the broader goal of providing quality education for all,” Gary Bagley, Executive Director of New York Cares said.
The organizations receiving winter jackets were Acacia Network Shelter, ACS, An Angel in Queens Foundation, Catholic Charities, Camba, Voces Latinas, Muhammadi Center of Jackson Heights, Encarnacion Little League, Sherwood Village Tenants Association, Kings Inn and The Landing shelters, Corona Self-Help, Dominico-American Society, Community partnership, Community United Methodist Church, Corona Ambulance, Elmcor Youth and Activities Center, Emerald Isle, Father Billini Association, LACA State of New York, NAACP Corona East Elmhurst, Saint Mark AME and Woodside on the Move.
Addabbo Spearheads State Election Law Reform Legislation
State Sen.Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (D-Kew Gardens, Kew Gardens Hills, Forest Hills, Rego Park, Elmhurst, Woodside, Middle Village, Maspeth, Glendale, Ridgewood, Ozone Park, South Ozone Park, Richmond Hill, Woodhaven, Howard Beach, Hamilton Beach, Broad Channel, the Rockaways) is joining with a number of his senate colleagues in advancing a package of bills to reform the state’s archaic election laws and combat New York’s abysmally low rates of voter turnout.
“Expanding and protecting voter rights here in New York is paramount in making the process easier and more accessible for a larger number of voters,” said Addabbo. “Having one of the lowest voter participation rates in the nation does not reflect well on our state. Voting is the cornerstone of our democracy, and if we want to continue to have a strong democracy, we need to enact sensible measures to allow and encourage more voters to get to the ballot box.”
Out of the comprehensive multi-bill legislative package, Addabbo is personally co-sponsoring four of the proposals. The first measure, (S.7538), would change the layout of ballots to make them easier to read and understand. The second, (S.840), would establish “no fault” absentee balloting by enabling any voter to request and cast their ballot by mail without declaring any reason for doing so.
A third bill, (S.3562), would require state primary elections and federal primary elections to be held on the same day. The fourth, (S.3304), would create a modern voter registration system.
Additional election and voting reform bills in the legislative package Addabbo is supporting seek to establish an early voting system; create a crime of voter suppression; and implement uniform poll closing procedures to ensure integrity in the process. Others would expand and reform affidavit voting by allowing ballots to be cast and counted when a voter accidentally appears at the wrong election district in the right county.
Avella, Flushing Residents Rally Against Abandoned House
State Senator Tony Avella (D) and Flushing residents will stand together today and rally today at the site of an abandoned home that has been neglected for decades.
Despite a growing number of inspections and violations, the Department of Buildings (DOB) refuses to declare it unsafe and demolish the house.
The rally is slated for 1 p.m., today, Jan. 26 at 35-20 167th Street in Flushing.
Meeks To Hold State of the District Town Hall
U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-Jamaica, Laurelton, Rosedale, Cambria Heights, Saint Albans, Springfield Gardens, Far Rockaway, JFK Airport) will hold a town hall meeting tomorrow to discuss how what is happening in Congress affects his 5th Congressional District.
Topics of discussion will include the Government Shutdown, Immigration Policy, GOP Tax Bill, Postal Matters, Healthcare, Veteran’s Services, and Disaster Recovery Funding.
The town hall is slated for between 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., tomorrow, Jan. 27 at The Atrium at York College. 94-20 Guy R. Brewer Blvd., Jamaica.
