Senator Joseph Addabbo recently organized a series of successful community events in Queens that focused on environmental protection, mental health awareness and identity theft prevention.
These events, held in late April and early May, drew hundreds of local residents and highlighted Addabbo’s ongoing commitment to supporting the well-being and safety of his district through proactive and engaging public initiatives.
On Saturday, May 4, Addabbo hosted his bi-annual electronic waste recycling event at the Forest Park Bandshell Parking Lot. This free event, held in partnership with the Lower East Side Ecology Center, once again gave residents a convenient way to responsibly dispose of outdated or broken electronics.
For the first time this year, Addabbo’s office partnered with PaintCare, a nonprofit organization that manages leftover paint collection programs, to accept paint drop-offs at the event.
The results were impressive. Over the course of the four-hour event, more than 300 community members arrived early and lined up to participate. According to estimates from the Lower East Side Ecology Center, approximately 23,000 pounds of e-waste were collected.
PaintCare reported collecting an estimated 1,860 gallons of paint, so much that their truck was completely filled by the end of the event. Addabbo emphasized the significance of proper disposal for these types of waste.
“The improper disposal of these items leads to severe environmental damage and health risks for the public,” he said. “The recycling process protects our planet while creating a sustainable future. I host this event at Forest Park twice a year, so the community has an easy location, close to home, to bring these items.
Addabbo also took time to thank all the organizations involved in making the event a success, offering special appreciation to the Parks Department and G-COP/104COP, who provided crucial on-the-ground assistance during the event.
The Senator’s focus on public health was equally evident in another major event just a few days earlier.
On April 30, Addabbo led an interactive stress relief workshop in commemoration of Stress Relief Awareness Month. The workshop, which was open to the public, took place during the Richmond Hill Block Association’s monthly meeting and featured mental health professionals from Northwell Health Long Island Jewish Forest Hills.
The event included presentations by Dr. Tonya M. Lawrence, Director of Clinical Professional Development at Long Island Jewish Forest Hills, and Jason Schaefer, Senior Employee Assistance Program Advisor at Northwell’s Employee & Family Assistance Program.
Schaefer led most of the session, covering a variety of stress management techniques, including progressive muscle relaxation, mindfulness, meditation, yoga, and even the benefits of smiling and laughter. He also introduced participants to the stress continuum, a color-coded chart designed to help people evaluate and manage their current stress levels.
Attendees were encouraged to take part in simple stress-relieving exercises while listening to calming music. The event also featured short humorous video clips to help visualize some of the techniques discussed.
To top it off, participants received small wellness-themed giveaways, including a bath loofah, stress ball, inspirational notepad, candy or snacks, and a reusable tote bag filled with information and resources from Northwell Health.
“As a state senator, I believe that our community finds its power through the health of its members,” Addabbo said. “This stress relief event represents my dedication to mental health support for our residents as we work together to create a stronger and more resilient district. My hope is that as we focus on peace and relaxation, we will create a solid foundation which supports the development of positive growth and harmony.”
The Senator also spearheaded a paper shredding and donation event on April 27, again held at the Forest Park Bandshell Parking Lot. The event gave residents a chance to safely destroy sensitive documents to prevent identity theft while also donating gently used items to veterans in need.
Throughout the four-hour event, a steady stream of cars dropped off boxes of paper for shredding and household goods for donation.
In total, 4,960 pounds of paper—just under 2.5 tons—were shredded on-site. Meanwhile, the United War Veterans Council, which was present to accept donations, collected 1,246 pounds of clothing and 1,550 pounds of household items and small furniture. G-COP/104COP volunteers again assisted with traffic control and logistics during the event.
“This shredding event is a simple way to be proactive in preventing identity theft while reducing our environmental footprint,” Addabbo said. “This was also a great opportunity for people to declutter their homes and give lightly worn clothes and used furniture to service members who could really benefit from it.”
