Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar, in partnership with the Zara Charitable Foundation, distributed more than 180 turkeys to residents at her district office in Woodhaven on Friday, Nov. 18.
Residents were lined up outside of Rajkumar’s office, located at 83-91 Woodhaven Blvd., to receive a free turkey for Thanksgiving.
Rajkumar organized the event after the cost of Thanksgiving dinner reached a record high this year. With an overall inflation rate of 8%, Rajkumar and the Zara Charitable Foundation refused to allow deserving families to go without a turkey feast this holiday.
“Since I was a child, my family proudly celebrated the great American tradition of Thanksgiving,” Rajkumar said. “I am proud to establish this first-of-its-kind public-private partnership for my district to ensure all families here can celebrate Thanksgiving as well. Prices of turkeys are higher than ever this year with record inflation, so my office has stepped in to provide the turkeys for free. This Thanksgiving, I am grateful for this opportunity to serve the people of south Queens as their state assemblywoman.”
Rajkumar’s turkey giveaway is a first-of-its-kind public-private partnership for the Assembly district on the occasion of Thanksgiving. Since taking office, Rajkumar has created new partnerships with philanthropists to serve her constituents.
Jay Sobhraj, of Zara Charitable Foundation, said Thanksgiving is about something bigger than tech devices and day-to-day distractions.
“Thanksgiving is about families coming together to make new memories while exploring past moments that made them strong. Thanksgiving is about the exchange of family values and a reminder of what matters most in life — your loved ones,” Sobhraj said. “ZARA practices what we believe through acts of compassion to help our community strengthen the bonds that make them family.”
For Tony Subraj, of Zara Charitable Foundation, Thanksgiving is a timeless opportunity to savor with loved ones.
“Zara is honored to assist in providing hardworking New Yorkers with the opportunity to celebrate family values together,” Subraj said. “Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar’s efforts to uplift the community is a victory and inspiration for those determined to attain happiness and reach prosperity. We are proud to work with leaders that put the needs of people first, especially for a happier Thanksgiving!”
Civic organizations Cityline Ozone Park Civilian Patrol (COPCP) and the Richmond Hill-South Ozone Park Lions Club (RHSOP) volunteered the day of the event to help distribute the turkeys.
Cityline Ozone Park Civilian Patrol (COPCP) secretary and Ozone Park Pantry director Patricia Raghunandan said COPCP is passionate about supporting initiatives that lift up the people in their community.
“Today’s turkey distribution does just that, allowing so many families to enjoy a proper Thanksgiving,” Raghunandan said. “Thank you to our great friend Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar for always going above and beyond, and to Zara Charitable Foundation for their generous support.”
Richmond Hill-South Ozone Park Lions Club (RHSOP) 2nd Vice District Governor Romeo Hitlall applauded Rajkumar and Zara Charitable Foundation for their “groundbreaking initiative” on Thanksgiving.
“They have truly gone the extra mile to serve our community. RHSOP always turns out in full force to support initiatives that help our community, and today we were proud to lend our manpower to distribute turkeys at the assemblywoman’s office,” Hitall said.
