Bay Ridge

Bay Ridge kids ask 86 St. shoppers for donations

Children raise $300 for Reaching Out Community Services Inc.

December 12, 2016 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle
The Lemonade Coalition got some help from grownups like Capt. Joseph Hayward, commanding officer of the 68th Precinct, in their fundraising efforts on 86th Street Friday night. Photo courtesy of Reaching Out Community Services Inc.
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The Bay Ridge Lemonade Coalition strikes again! The coalition, a group of junior high school kids that organizes civic improvement projects and does charitable works around the neighborhood, was at in again on Friday, this time raising money to help a nonprofit group host a Christmas party for underprivileged children.

The Bay Ridge Lemonade Coalition set up a table on the Bay Ridge 86th Street Business Improvement District on Dec. 9 and sold hot chocolate to busy holiday shoppers.

The kids, whose table was located on 86th Street between Fourth and Fifth avenues, raised an impressive $300 for Reaching Out Community Services Inc., an organization based on New Utrecht Avenue in Bensonhurst that operates a food pantry and provides social service assistance to families in need.

Lemonade Coalition President Preston Ferraiuolo was joined by several members of the group, including: Joseph Khouzami, Athena Bardis, Susie Sartzetakis, Caroline Hanna, Matthew Hanna, Sarah Viafidis, Nicholas Bambina, Julianna Bambina and Anthony Butsikares.

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The members also include: Jenna Abi- Habib, Lucia Garuccio, Arianna Gnerre, Antonio Gnerre, Daniel Kabbez, Sarah Josephs, and Sabrina, Sonia and Samantha Meadows.

Reaching Out hosts a Christmas party each year for children from low-income families. This year’s party, called Operation Christmas Smiles, will take place on Dec. 17.

“Thank you Bay Ridge Lemonade Coalition for helping to put smiles on the faces of the children that are waiting excitingly to go to the event on Dec. 17,” Reaching Out representatives said in a statement praising the kids.

The Lemonade Coalition’s table was a hot spot on Friday. At one point, Capt. Joseph Hayward, commanding officer of the 68th Precinct, stopped by to make a donation.

The hot chocolate was donated by Patrick Golden, owner of the Bay Ridge Manor catering hall.

The Christmas charity event was just the latest in a series of endeavors by the Lemonade Coalition.

On June 9, the coalition beautified the neighborhood by painting benches along Shore Road. The kids started at Shore Road and 72nd Street and worked on more than two dozen benches between 72nd Street and Bay Ridge Parkway.

“The people of this community deserve to have nice benches to sit on and enjoy the beautiful view of the water,” Preston Ferraiuolo told the Brooklyn Eagle.

 


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