By Courtney Dentch
Sanders (D-St. Albans) was slated to sponsor a Senior Appreciation Day Wednesday, Aug. 11, to have some fun with southeast Queens' silver residents and honor four people for their work as elders and for the older community, Sanders said.”Every once in a while it is necessary to honor those among us who are honorable and our senior citizens, our golden warriors, come to mind,” Sanders said.Presenters David Scott and Dr. Jeremiah Gaffney will help Sanders pay tribute to the four honorees. Rev. Dorothy Fentress, pastor of the New Samaritans Baptist Church; Joyce Lawrence, vice president of the Rosedale Civic Association; Jannie Williams, vice president of the Springfield Gardens Taxpayers and Citizens Association; and James Sanders Sr., the councilman's father, were to be saluted, Sanders said.The honorees were chosen by the Friends of Sanders committee, the lawmaker said.Fentress was selected for her work at the food pantry she founded in Laurelton, which is run out of the headquarters for the Elmer Blackburne Regular Democratic Club on Merrick Boulevard.”When the issue of hunger reared its ugly head, even in our district she was one of the first among us to contribute not only her time but her love of the community to combat it,” Sanders said.Lawrence has been working to better the area through her efforts with the Rosedale Civic Association, the councilman said.”She has spent many years building the community on many fronts,” he said. “It's time she was recognized.”Williams, a lifelong Laurelton resident who also serves as vice president of the Blackburne Democratic Club, has put in countless hours doing many different tasks at the Robert Couche Senior Center in St. Albans, said Veronica Beckford, Sanders' aide.”We seek to highlight lesser known warriors like Ms. Williams, whose contributions the community certainly needs to know about,” Sanders said.And James Sanders Sr., who was not nominated by his son, has worked with soup kitchens in the Rockaways and has donated some of the fruits and vegetables he grows in his garden, Sanders said.”He's more well-known than I am,” he said. “He grows food and gives it out. It's the freshest food you can get.”The day will be filled with “the best meal known to man” and entertainment from Steve Crank and the Sugar and Spice Band, Sanders said. Vendors will also be on hand to provide information on healthy living, and gifts and prizes will be awarded.”This gives us the ability to break bread and downright party with people who really know how to party and just enjoy all of them,” he said.Senior Appreciation Day is planned for Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the VFW Imperial, 259 Doughty Blvd. in Inwood. The event is free, but participants must RSVP by calling Sanders' office at 718-527-4356.Reach reporter Courtney Dentch by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 138.
