BY JOSH TOWNER
Queens Councilman Peter Koo and other local leaders distributed turkeys at the Nan Shan Senior Citizen Center in Flushing this morning. Over 100 senior citizens were in attendance for the giveaway.
Councilman Koo was joined by Peter Tu of the Flushing Business Association and Simon Lee of Handylee Enterprises to raffle off 22 turkeys. The turkey donors and staff members of the Nan Shan Center gave speeches to the attendees in Mandarin before giving away the turkeys.
“We have people from different countries, different regions of China or Asia, but all Chinese. In the spirit of Thanksgiving we bring all these people together,” said Michael Wang, Director of Senior Services at the Nan Shan Center as he addressed the attendees in their native tongue.
Staff members of the Chinese-American Planning Council stood at the front of a crowded room to call off numbers for the raffle. Some people cheered when their number was called. Others greeted the CPC staff with hugs as they received their turkey.
“Look at them, they’re so happy,” said Wang as he watched community members celebrate their turkeys. “Thanksgiving is a holiday where we appreciate the community and our people.”
For over 10 years, Queens Councilman Peter Koo and local organizations and businesses have partnered to deliver over turkeys to senior centers, community groups and faith-based organizations. This year, over 350 turkeys will be distributed.
