Gravesend
It’s spotlight on amazing teens this week. Standing O is saluting 15-year-old Sol Gindi of Gravesend for creating the inagurual Strive to Survive run, held at Prospect Park on March 5. The run, which was held to bring attention to kidney cancer research, raised $70,000, which was presented to Dr. David Nanus from the New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Hospital.
Strive to Survive was organized by the Kidney Cancer Awareness Group, an organization Sol also founded three months ago to honor his late grandfather Sol Betesh.
After the passing of his grandfather in September of 2016, Sol felt compelled to commemorate the person that his grandfather was, and to raise awareness and funds to fight the deadly cancer and prevent others from feeling the pain his family felt from this passing.
Sol said his grandfather was incredibly fit and “was always mistook for being 20 years younger.”
What better way than to honor this man with a run — and hold it in March, Kidney Cancer Awareness month?
Along with help from his dad and family in organizing the event, the talented teen enlisted the help of his fellow students at Magen David Yeshivah High School in Bensonhurst by organizing a planning committee. Together, the team built a website, organized donations, and sent out letters encouraging sign-ups.
One-hundred percent of the funds went to continue the kidney cancer research work being done at the hospital and headed by Dr. Nanus.
Windsor Terrace
Going green
Brooklyn Public Library’s Windsor Terrace branch will receive a new roof with green features thanks to funds provided by Councilman Brad Lander. The roof’s green elements will reduce stormwater runoff and make the building more energy efficient by reducing the amount of heat it absorbs during the day and releases at night.
“We are excited and grateful to be able to invest in sustainability and green design at one of Brooklyn’s busiest libraries,” said Linda E. Johnson, president and chief executive officer at Brooklyn Public Library. “We thank Councilmember Lander and the residents of Windsor Terrace for supporting a branch that does so much to serve the neighborhood.”
The new roof will feature extensive plantings — including shrubs, perennial groundcovers, and ornamental grasses like sedum, witchhazel, butterfly weed, and carolina rose, which will attract birds and other pollinators.
“This project was recognized and supported by the very community the library serves through the PB process,” said Lander. “The sustainable green roof will provide tremendous benefits to the community — from helping to improve air quality to providing a wildlife habitat.”
The building is currently closed to allow for the construction work, but will reopen in mid-April, with the entire project to be completed this summer. Until then, Bookmobile service will be provided outside the branch on Wednesdays and Fridays from 11 am to 4 pm.
Brooklyn Public Library Windsor Terrace Branch [60 E. Fifth St. in Windsor Terrace, (718) 686–9707].
