Sheepshead Bay
Special thanks to Raisa Chernina, founder of the Be Proud Foundation. The ex-Soviet says red, white, and blue are her favorite colors and every year she puts her words to the test and hosts the Police Appreciation Luncheon for our men in blue.
The New York Police Department Pipes and Drums of the Emerald Society opened the 10th annual ceremonies at the Galaxy Restaurant on Dec. 4. Jessica Gorbenko presented Sgt. Anthony Caggiano of the 60th Precinct Community Affairs Team unit with a special thanks and an award for helping her kick a drug habit. Lieutenant O’Neil from the 60th Precinct accepted an award for promoting NYPD’s anti-breast cancer campaign. Anna Malkina-Shumayer and Officers Andrey Vishnevskiy and Sammy Shaya delivered treats back to the precinct for those who couldn’t make the event. As a holiday treat, specialty cakes made by Cherry Hill were given to all the officers to take back to their precincts.
Be Proud Foundation is the city’s only non-profit and non-political organization to organize cop-appreciation luncheons since 2005 for the Finest from Brooklyn precincts, the South Brooklyn Police Department, and One Police Plaza. Their goal is to express the Russian-speaking community’s gratitude to our heroes “for putting their lives on the line of duty for our safety,” said Standing O pal Raisa.
Standing O is proud of you Raisa, for all you do for the community, too.
Be Proud Foundation [2805 E. 26th St. at Shore Parkway in Sheepshead Bay, (718) 788–7773].
Borough-Wide
Conga line!
They are “freezin’ for a reezin’.” Calling all skaters, dancers, cancer fighters or anyone else who wants to have a good time and be part of a sanctioned Guinness Book of World Records attempt. Join the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life and TEAL as they attempt to break the record for the World’s Largest Conga Line on Ice on Dec. 12.
The current record is 353 participants — hey, we can beat that! So start
shaking your bootay. Registration begins at 10 am. Participation is free with weekend admission of $15 and skate rentals are $6.
The first 200 skaters to register with Relay for Life or Teal will receive a bracelet for free admission to the skating session and a free skate rental.
Be there and make it count on Dec. 12 at 10 am.
Prospect Park Lakeside [171 East Dr. in Prospect Park].
Borough-wide
Paying thanks forward
Standing O colleague and “Big Screecher” columnist Carmine Santa Maria asked that I give a shout out to do-gooders Giovanni and Salvatore Valente. The PS 215 students reached out to Thomas Neve, founder and president of Reaching Out Community Services, to start a fund-raising drive for the food pantry. The big-hearted boys then went store to store and rang the bells of friends and neighbors for donations. Through dogged determination the pair raised more than $340, which they presented to Standing O pal Thomas so he could augment the organization’s soup kitchen.
Standing O and Carmine Santa Maria say, “Mile Grazia.”
Marine Park
An epic in the making
Three cheers to Yitzchok Saftlas, who celebrated the launch of his new release, “So What’s the Bottom Line,” last week at the Jewish Community Council of Marine Park. The tome provides 76 proven marketing tips and techniques for building your business and personal brand. It’s perfect for salespeople, marketers, and seasoned executives, or for entrepreneurs just starting out, and offers a clear direction guaranteed to garner results.
The book is now available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and bookstores nationwide.
