Glendale Kiwanis’ annual Community Day brings neighbors together at the Shops at Atlas Park

On the first weekend after the start of the school year for many children across the city, the Glendale Kiwanis Club held its annual Community Day event at the Shops at Atlas Park on Saturday, Sept. 9.

Shoppers and passersby at the notable Glendale shopping center were treated to an all-inclusive event meant to serve the local community and lift their spirits looking ahead to the second half of the year.

The Glendale Kiwanis Club took advantage of the especially hot Saturday to join neighbors with other local organizations for a day of fun. Photo by Adrian Childress

Music played by the NYPD Jazz Band filled the plaza of the Stops at Atlas Park, as families and children participated in carnival games, grabbed some food and drinks,and received some drawstring bags with school supplies inside. The Jazz Ensemble of the NYPD Band is comprised of 18 members who perform Jazz and Pop classics.

The NYPD Jazz Band gave patrons of the Shops at Atlas Park and the Community Day celebration a full performance with some familiar hits. Photo by Adrian Childress

Hot dogs and water distributed at the event were provided by Broadway Stages, Essential Water (Water), and Senator Joseph P. Addabbo Jr. Con Edison also contributed to the success through a donation.

The East Coast Car Association Inc. Toys for Tots brings some of their finest cars to community events for the greater cause of providing kids with toys and much more. Photo by Adrian Childress

One of the more popular attractions for both the older and younger crowd is the East Coast Car Association Inc., Toys for Tots. The association is a popular attendee of events in the Glendale, Maspeth, Middle Village and Ridgewood neighborhoods. Residents may recall the group at last year’s Juniper Valley Trunk-or-Treat event or the Maspeth Car Show. Classic cars made the best use of the shopping center’s outdoor parking spots throughout the day.

Northside Bakery in Glendale provided the Glendale Kiwanis with exceptionally tasty treats and baked goods for the Saturday event. Photo courtesy Kerrie Hansen, Glendale Kiwanis

The kids as part of the Queens Dance Academy and Keepin’ The Beat Dance Studio, gave it their all with a memorable performance for all to enjoy.

“Events like this take a village,” said Kerrie Hansen, secretary of the Glendale Kiwanis.

When the Glendale Kiwanis Club comes to an event, hot dogs are a commodity and the Community Day event was no different. Photo by Millie Mandese, Glendale Kiwanis

The Glendale Kiwanis has kept the tradition of hosting a Community Day event for over 50 years and shares its success with the local organizations that continue to support the club.

The Glendale Kiwanis Club give their thanks to the sponsors of the event and those local groups who took the Saturday to give back to the community. Photo by Millie Mandese, Glendale Kiwanis

Other organizations who made this event possible include Anderson Windows, Coldwell Bankers Realty, Cross County Savings Bank, East Coast Cars, Kreation for Kids, Kueber’s, Maria Vega, Northside Bakery, Northwell Star, NY Life Insurance, The 104th Precinct Civilian Observation Patrol, and WellCare Insurance.