June 2022 • Volume 18 • Issue 6
NONPROFIT NEWS
QCH hosts 10th annual spring event
(Pictured left to right) New York State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, QCH Board President Michael Stellman, and QCH Executive Director Ben Thomases at QCH’s 10th Annual Celebrating Local Champions Reception at Forest Hills Stadium on May 18, 2022. BY THOMAS CRUZ Queens Community House, one of the borough’s largest social service organizations, held its 10th annual “Celebrating Local Champions” reception at Forest Hills Stadium on May 18. The event was the nonprofit’s first in-person spring event since 2019. Attendees included local elected officials, Queens community stakeholders, borough residents, QCH leadership, program participants, and supporters of the organization. At this year’s event, QCH honored New York State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky and Assemblymember Andrew Hevesi as “Local Champions” for their years of supporting the Queens community. “Both Senator Stavisky and
Assemblymember Hevesi have been tireless advocates for the Queens community, going above and beyond to ensure that families and individuals across the borough have the resources that they need,” QCH Executive Director Ben Thomases said in a statement. “The main reason Assemblymember Hevesi and I continue to support Queens Community House is the fact that they have programs for every age, from early childhood to older adults, serving the entire community in both good times and challenging times,” said Senator Stavisky. “I am incredibly honored to be named ‘Local Champion’, but the real champions are the staff, volunteers, and board members of Queens Community House,” Hevesi said. “Thank you for all the work you do for our community.”
QCH also announced Esther Sanchez as the winner of their 2022 Irma E. Rodriguez Community Builder Award. “Esther embodies what is best about our borough – a compassionate, tenacious, and selfless individual who has made a dedicated effort to unite neighbors of all backgrounds,” Anna Dioguardi Moyano, QCH director of community building, said. During the event, Queens residents and community stakeholders connected with each other as well as QCH leadership and program participants to learn about the organization’s array of services. Supporters of the event’s spring raffle included Starbucks, Sephora, 2nd Story Pilates & Yoga, Bath & Body Works, Martha’s Country Bakery, New York Sports Club, The Truffleist, The Queensboro Restaurant, Kiehl’s, 5 Burro Café,
Club Pilates, Gregorio Herrera Art, StretchLab, Bistro Eloise, Aigner Chocolates, Portofino Ristorante, Nick’s Bistro, and TGI Fridays.
Thomas Cruz is the director of communications for Queens Community House, located at 108-25 62nd Drive in Forest Hills 25
