Braunstein Blood Drive Gives Free Met Tickets
Assembly Member Edward Braunstein
Assemblyman Edward C. Braunstein (D-Bayside) will be doling out vouchers to blood donors, at his 7th Annual Summer Blood Drive, for two tickets to see the New York Mets at Citi Field.
Additionally, the first 100 people who donate a pint of blood will receive a certificate for a free pint of soup from Ben’s Kosher Delicatessen Restaurant & Caterers as part of its Pint for a Pint program. Donors will also receive free refreshments courtesy of Stop & Shop of Bay Terrace and Braunstein.
The Assemblyman urged his constituents to donate blood.
“Each blood donation will help save up to three lives,” said Braunstein. “Our hospitals are in need of your assistance, so I hope you will take the time to share this lifesaving gift.”
In order to be eligible donors must provide their donor card or ID with photo or signature, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds, be of 16-75 years of age (if under or over the age limit a parental permission or doctors note will be required, respectively), eat a low fat meal and drink plenty of fluids before donating, and have no tattoos fewer than 12 months old.
The blood drive is slated for between 2:30 – 8:30 p.m., Thursday, August 8, at the Bay Terrace Shopping Center at 26th Avenue and Bell Boulevard in Bayside.
Gillibrand Demands VA Reverses Decision Delaying Benefits to Blue Water Navy Veterans
U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand
U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Steve Daines (R-MT) yesterday urged Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert Wilkie to reverse his recent decision to delay benefits to Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans by another six months.
The delay comes after President Donald Trump signed the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act into law last month, guaranteeing sailors who were exposed to Agent Orange while serving off the Vietnamese Coast would have access to benefits they have already waited years for.
“This is a disheartening and unnecessary action,” the two lawmakers wrote Wilkie. “There is nothing left to do besides processing the claims, and we strongly urge the VA to do so as quickly as possible. Delaying these benefits for another six months without specific and valid cause only adds insult to these veterans, many of whom have been waiting for these benefits for seventeen years.”
Both Gillibrand and Daines have been pushing the Senate to pass the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Ac for years. Gillibrand has long championed the fight to ensure Blue Water veterans get the health and disability benefits they earned, leading the Senate version of the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act, which she first introduced in 2009.
Meng Mourns Héctor Figueroa
U.S. Rep. Grace Meng
U.S. Rep Grace Meng (D-Bayside, Flushing, Forest Hills, Rego Park, Fresh Meadows, Glendale, Kew Gardens, Maspeth) yesterday mourned the following statement on the passing of 32BJ SEIU President Héctor Figueroa.
Figueroa died unexpectedly last Thursday night. He was 57 years old. Figueroa guided policy positions of the country’s largest building services union with over 175,000 members. Figueroa headed the union since 2012 and is credited with growing its ranks by more than 50,000 members.
“I’m heartbroken to hear of Héctor Figueroa’s passing. In his work with 32BJ, Héctor was a true champion for all working families and touched the lives of thousands by improving working conditions and securing fairer pay for both 32BJ members and working women and men everywhere. I’m proud and honored to have worked alongside him to make New York a safer, better place to work. We have lost an indispensable leader and advocate for working people throughout the country and here in Queens. I know his memory will live on in our continued fight for working families across our city. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones,” said Meng.
AM Miller Throws First Pitch at 8th Annual American Softball League’s All-Star Game
Assembly Member Mike Miller
Assemblyman Mike Miller (D-Woodhaven, Ridgewood, Richmond Hill, Ozone Park, Glendale) threw the first pitch at the 8th Annual American Softball League’s All-Star Game at Vito Locascio Field in Ozone Park last Saturday.
The American Softball League teaches prospective players with developmental challenges to play softball. The players practice three times a week to work on their softball skills.
“American Softball League provides a fun and great learning environment for adults with disabilities to learn the game and I want to thank Randy Novak and all his volunteers for this wonderful program. I look forward throwing the first pitch again and seeing the continued progress the players have made,” said Miller.
Miller was joined by Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Broad Channel, Hamilton Beach, Howard Beach, Lindenwood, Ozone Park, the Rockaway Peninsula) and Queens Parks Commissioner Michael Dockett.
Nolan holds Mobile Office Hours
Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan
Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan (D-Sunnyside, Ridgewood, Astoria, Woodside, Long Island City, Maspeth, Queensbridge, Ravenswood, Dutch Kills, Blissville) once again held mobile office hours at the Sunnyside Library.
Just this year, Nolan has hosted mobile district office hours at the Astoria, Court Square/LIC and the 21st Library in Ravenswood/LIC.
“It is important always to meet people in our community, ” said Nolan. “For many years, I have held mobile office hours and state fairs to address issues or concerns.”
Additional mobile office hours are slated for Thursday, July 18 at the Woodside Library and Thursday, August 1 at the Ridgewood Library. No exact hours of were given.
