COJO Flatbush once again played a key role in Plaza Auto Mall’s annual Back-to-School Backpack Giveaway, in partnership with City Councilmembers Farah Louis – whose constituent services liaison Avrohom Malachowski reached out to COJO to partner – and Inna Vernikov; State Senators Roxanne Persaud and Iwen Chu; Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermeleyn; the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit; and the NYPD Community Affairs Bureau.
The day before the event, several COJO staff members worked from early afternoon into the evening at Plaza Auto’s large facility at Nostrand Avenue and Kings Highway, stuffing thousands of backpacks with notebooks and other school supplies, regrouping early the next morning to complete the task. They also brought with them kosher snacks and bottled water to hand out to the anticipated heavy turnout of parents and children, who began lining up an hour before the event’s scheduled start.
Children and parents loved the backpacks, but that wasn’t the only treat organizers had in store. There were oversize board and card games –Checkers and Chess and Guess Who? and UNO, among others – a popcorn and cotton-candy stand from the social-event specialists at FunBash, fresh pizza from Perizia, and the NYPD’s immensely popular Game Truck and 25-foot rock-climbing wall.
Adam Rosatti, General Manager of Plaza Auto Mall, emphasized the significance of the event, stating, “Education is the foundation of our future, and it’s vital that every child has the tools they need to thrive. We’re proud to play a part in equipping the next generation for success, and we’re grateful for the continued support of our dedicated elected officials and community organizations who have helped make this event possible.”
Anastasia Yaskova, Brooklyn Borough Director of the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit and a good friend of COJO, praised the event for its community spirit and thanked Plaza Auto Mall, along with the partnering elected officials and social service agencies like COJO Flatbush, for their work in making it such a success.
“It is our great pleasure to participate in the Giveaway,” said COJO Flatbush CEO Louis Welz. “Our commitment to helping our neighbors is well-served by events like this, involving a collaboration between private businesses and not-for-profit agencies.”
Added COJO Social Services Director Shulamis Shapiro, “Whether it’s large-scale holiday food distributions, free tax preparation, adult education classes, legal immigration assistance, senior enrichment activities, or dozens of other programs and events, COJO Flatbush is committed to fulfilling our mandate: Help Starts Here.”
