WRBA Announces Honorees of 41st Annual Fundraiser

The Woodhaven Residents' Block Association will welcome civic leaders, elected officials, and fellow residents to Joe Abbracciamento Restaurant on Friday, September 21, 2012, for the organization's 41st annual fundraiser.

The event will celebrate a very successful and eventful year for the WRBA, and will highlight the achievements of three honorees.

Bill Johnert holds aloft a winning raffle ticket at
last year's WRBA fundraiser

The Man of the Year will be Bill Johnert, a district leader who previously served as the WRBA's president and has long been involved in improving the neighborhood.  A well-liked and recognizable figure in Woodhaven, he has made a difference during his years of work in the community.

For the first time, the WRBA will not have a Woman of the Year.  Instead, it will have Women of the Year—those who run the School Sisters of Notre Dame Educational Center.  At their center, the sisters help economically disadvantaged women to become more fluent in English, to learn math and computer skills, and ultimately to attend city colleges and enter the job market with better-paying positions.

This year's inductee into the Woodhaven Hall of Fame will be Emanuel United Church of Christ.  The church, located at 91st Avenue and Woodhaven Boulevard, marked its 135th anniversary earlier this month.  Emanuel has opened its doors to many Woodhaven organizations, including the WRBA, which will hold its May Town Hall there.  It has hosted the same Boy Scout troop, Troop 169, continuously since the 1930s.

Sonia Saleh, Sr. Catherine Feeney, and Sr. Janice Algie,
who play important roles at the School Sisters of
Notre Dame Educational Center in Woodhaven

"All of this year's honorees are true friends of Woodhaven," said WRBA Secretary Arlene Annunziata.  "They are a wonderful reminder of how terrific our neighborhood is, and why it's important to work on its behalf."

The WRBA survives on the support of those it serves—the residents of Woodhaven.  The Block Association hopes that a good turnout will help keep them alive and fighting.

To buy a ticket to the fundraiser with a credit card, please visit http://bit.ly/wdhvn2.  To purchase an advertisement in the Fundraiser Journal with a credit card, please visit http://bit.ly/wdhvn.  You can also e-mail info@woodhaven-nyc.org or call the WRBA office at 718-296-3735 to buy tickets or Journal ads.

Each ticket to the fundraiser is $65 and includes a four-course dinner with wine and beer.  The event kicks off at 7:30 p.m.  Joe Abbracciamento Restaurant is located at 62-96 Woodhaven Boulevard, in Rego Park.

Members of the Emanuel United Church of Christ
community, celebrating their church's 135th anniversary

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Contact:

info@woodhaven-nyc.org
WRBA office: (718) 296-3735
www.woodhaven-nyc.org