Canarsie

Saturday in the Park: Music, food and fun at Canarsie Family Love Festival

Elected Officials and Community Leaders Join Families for a Day in the Park

August 22, 2017 By John Alexander Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Warm inviting weather brought families out to the park for the Canarsie Love Festival. Eagle photos by Arthur De Gaeta
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On a beautiful, warm Saturday afternoon, Canarsie Park was filled with families enjoying a day of food, fun and music at the Canarsie Love Festival on Aug. 19. The event was organized by Debbie Tiamfook of the Foresee Community Outreach Center and her niece Tunisha Walker as part of Canarsie Strong, a neighborhood-based activist group.

Canarsie Strong was a grass-roots project formed in response to what Tiamfook called “sketchy and disrespectful homeowner assistance” from government agencies and certain charitable providers.

According to Tiamfook, “Foreclosures were rising, unemployment was up and relief was scant, so Canarsie Strong asked the banks to suspend foreclosure action and to waive mortgages for one year without penalty.”

In 2013, the group asked for assistance for homeowners and expanded their assistance program to include mold removal treatment and construction repair help for both homeowners and businesses.

Tiamfook and Walker formed the Canarsie Strong project to address the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy to the South Brooklyn coastal communities, including Canarsie.

The Canarsie Family Love Festival brought out many Canarsie Strong supporters including state Sen. Roxanne Persaud, Kings County Democratic Chairman Frank Seddio, Executive Director of Millennium Development Paul Curiale, 69th Precinct Community Council President Gardy Brazela, My Time co-founder Lucina Clarke and community leaders Joy Riley, Ira Kluger, John D’Arpa, among other civic leaders.

“It was a beautiful day to be outside in a wonderful park in Canarsie with both young and old enjoying a day of music, valuable information and having the opportunity to meet new leaders and make new friends who share so many positive ideas for a stronger community,” said Curiale.

There were information booths sponsored by the Brooklyn Public Library and Healthfirst insurance, among others. Parishioners from local churches attended as well as well as members of the Girl Scouts.

The event also featured a steel drum band, a variety of barbecue favorites and games geared toward younger children.

 

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