It was time for celebration as Canarsie activists and elected officials gathered together to toast those who make a difference.
The Friends United Block Association (FUBA) 12th anniversary banquet drew a crowd to the Glen Terrace, 5313 Avenue N, to pay tribute to the organization, its supporters and a cadre of individuals whose efforts make the neighborhood a better place in which to live.
Honored were Assemblymembers Helene Weinstein and Alan Maisel; Deputy Inspector Ralph Monteforte, the commanding officer of the 69th Precinct till last month, when he was transferred to the 70th Precinct; Marie Jeanty, the director of the FUBA youth center; Lucina Clarke, the founder of My Time, Inc., a Canarsie-based organization for parents of autistic children; Emily James, the owner of Re/Max Jaguar Real Estate; Pastor Herard Augustin, of the Brooklyn Pilgrim Wesleyan Church and the Ditmas Park Youth Group; Sergeant Newell Laird, of the 69th Precinct’s Community Affairs unit; Maria Penaherrera, the principal of Public School 114, which provides space for the FUBA youth center; Natasha West, an arts instructor at P.S. 114; Lesley Craddock, the owner of S & L Industries; and Constance Cincotta, president of Glenwood Mason Supply.
Many of those who spoke took the time to point out the contributions that FUBA has made to Canarsie during its existence. “The work of this organization on behalf of children is worth every penny I give to it,” asserted City Councilmember Lewis Fidler, who acted as master of ceremonies.
“You do a job for nothing that needs to be done,” Maisel told Gardy Brazela, FUBA’s president.
“People are always complaining about children hanging out at the corner,” added activist Mercedes Narcisse. “I know someone doing something about it, Gardy Brazela.”
“I congratulate you on being a visionary, someone who takes time away from your family to make sure the community is represented on all levels of government,” added State Senator John Sampson,
With funds raised by the dinner going back into the FUBA youth program, those who attended the event were also celebrated.
“In the midst of financially challenging times, you have still chosen to come out and support this cause because you know that children are the backbone of our nation. They are our future, and our children’s lives rely on how we mold and shape them,” Sandra Brazela told the assembled group.
