2016 Annual Gala

Strengthening Neighborhoods Inspiring Change Benefit Gala

Wednesday, November 9th 2016

Queens Community House’s gala raises $150,000 for community programs

Queens, NY – On Nov. 9, Queens Community House (QCH) celebrated its Strengthening Neighborhoods Inspiring Change Benefit Gala at Blend on the Water in Long Island City. The evening proved to be a great success with almost 200 individuals in attendance and $150,000 raised in the hopes of furthering QCH’s mission – a $31, 000 increase from last year.

Honored at the event were Aramark, Council Member Daniel Dromm, attorney and community organizer Ali Najmi, and the Queens Chamber of Commerce.

 “Queens Community House opened its arms to me,” Aramark spokesperson Derek Swartz stated in his remarks, noting how QCH and Aramark have created a special partnership promoting the nutrition and health of Queens communities.

Council Member Dromm expressed his own sentiments on working with QCH when he took the podium, “Ali Najmi was honored alongside Dromm for bringing Queens together in a vigil at Jackson Heights after the United States’ deadliest mass shooting in Orlando. The two honorees had reached out to the Muslim, South Asian, and LGBT communities in Queens calling on them to denounce the violence and affirm their unity.

“I just feel so blessed to have been a part of this wonderful organization for so long,” Najmi said.

Queens Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tom Grech spoke to QCH’s impact among residents and how they hope to partner with the organization more in the future.

Executive Director Ben Thomases closed the celebration with a thank you and some encouraging words. “Without the support of those who donated and attended the gala, we wouldn’t be able to do all the things we love to do,” Thomases said. “The generosity of others and the dedication of our employees is what makes Queens Community House special and what keeps us providing great services to all those who call Queens home.”

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