RHBA to Santa – send funding

In this season of giving, the Richmond Hill Block Association (RHBA) is making sure to help families in need, but the organization itself is still in a crisis.
At its last meeting for the year, Simcha Waisman, Vice President of the RHBA and President of the One Stop Richmond Hill Community Center, said, “Hopefully we’ll be here next year; we don’t know.”
After 37 years, the organization is suffering. Its operational budget dried up when disgraced former Assemblymember Anthony Seminerio tendered his letter of resignation effective Tuesday, June 23 and pleaded guilty to one count of honest services mail fraud the following day.
According to Joan Bachert, program director for the center, their operational budget of $150,000 – that has not been met – includes salaries for three employees and any and all bills – telephone, gas, electric, insurance, equipment, supplies, etc.
Bachert said that the center has only enough funding for the popular “Mommy and Me” program through the first week of December, and that they are tapping into administrative funds as it is.
“It’s going to be really missed [if the funding is not restored],” said Bachert. “I don’t have money for teachers.”
“We cannot operate with no money,” said Waisman, who noted that they may have to resort to volunteers to run the center, though the Videoconferencing program seems to be safe in January.
With the monies they do have, the RHBA, in conjunction with Key Food, will provide a complete Thanksgiving meal for local families in need – and they will be feeding the men and women of the 102nd Precinct on Thanksgiving day.
Through early December, the RHBA will also be collecting toys for children who might otherwise have no gifts. Last year, the 102nd Precinct collected hundreds of presents.
“This is a bad time for parents with the economy the way it is,” said Bachert.
“Santa Day” will be on Saturday, December 12 at the RHBA, 110-08 Jamaica Avenue, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be refreshments, pictures with Santa and goody bags.
For the third year, Dynamic Properties Realty will be sponsoring its annual holiday lights competition. With a grand prize of $300 and two $100 awards, winners will be judged on originality, creativity, brightness, effort and “wow” factor.
Entries are due no later than Thursday, December 10, and winners will be announced on Wednesday, December 16 at 7 p.m. at the RHBA. For more information, call 718-849-3759.