About 200 seniors attended the first Senior Appreciation giveaway at Phil Rizzuto (Smokey Oval) Park in Richmond Hill on July 23.
The event, hosted by Bena Homecare Agency, provided seniors with tote travel bags and hats, T-shirts, throw blankets, cups, face masks, hand sanitizers and containers with food.
Several elected officials and community leaders were in attendance, including Councilwoman Lynn Schulman, Assemblyman David Weprin, state Sen. Joseph Addabbo and representatives of Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar. They all addressed the seniors and paid their respects to them and all their service to the community.
Community Board 9 Chair Sherry Algredo, who helped plan the event, said it was a “beautiful day with great attendance by seniors, and with such a success, Bena Homecare Agency plans to make this a yearly event.”
Binrowtie Angelini (Bena), from Bena Homecare Agency, was presented with citations from Addabbo and Schulman, and also her manager of the agency, Jonathan Rupnarine.
Dr. Monica Sanchez presented Angelini with a Presidential Award from President Joe Biden for her philanthropic work over the years.
According to Angelini, she just wanted to give back to the community, and didn’t expect to be recognized for her work.
“It’s not the first time I tried to reach out to seniors. I’m just a person that likes to give. If someone stops by and says they need something, I reach out to them,” Angelini said. “I’m also very thankful to receive such an award.”
Angelini’s humble beginnings and subsequent success were not an easy task. With over 20 years of experience working in health care services, Angelini was motivated to serve the underserved communities.
Angelini was instrumental in forming Bena Institute of Vocational Training in 2009 and Bena Home Care Agency in 2016. The agency offers a broad range of high-quality home health care services that are unique to an individual’s needs.
In 2016, Angelini was honored by the Hon. Melinda Katz at the Guyana Independence 50th anniversary celebration for her distinguished service to the community.
For several years, Angelini has participated in community engagement in meaningful ways in both the United States and abroad. She has worked with various elected officials in New York City, community organizations including the Interfaith Counsel for Community Development, religious organizations, several religious officials, and Attorney Andrea S. Ogle (prior to her becoming a judge), to assist the diverse members of the community with various challenges that they face.
Angelini considers it an honor to provide support and resources to the communities of New York throughout the years. In May 2020, she and her staff coordinated and delivered free meals to health care workers and first responders throughout New York.
In her free time Angelini enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, traveling, mentoring, and dining out with her friends.
