Watch Guard 24/7 hosts Holiday Toy Drive to benefit CCBQ

Help brighten the life of a child this holiday season by donating a toy to Watch Guard 24/7’s Holiday Toy Drive.

Drop off your toy donation at WatchGuard 24/7’s LIC (34-07 37th Avenue LIC, NY 11101) or Glendale, Queens (71-16 Myrtle Avenue Glendale, NY 11385) locations,

All toys will be donated to families of Catholic Charities and Phipps Neighborhoods.

Watch Guard 24/7 is a leader in providing security, concierge, and fire safety director services to hundreds of locations throughout NY & NJ, and their CEO, John Rafferty, is known for his dedication to philanthropic.

“Success in life does not come from what we have, but from what we give. If we can all give a little more to others, we will not only be be better people ourselves, but the world will be a better place,” said John Rafferty, CEO of WatchGuard 24/7.

Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens is a nonprofit organization that has been dedicated to helping NYC neighbors in need with mercy and compassion since 1899. Their programs and services not only provide essential resources and support, but also help to build stronger, more connected communities.

“Kudos to Catholic Charities of Brooklyn and Queens for uplifting New Yorkers in need. CCBQ feeds seniors through meal delivery, help the homeless access food and housing, provide financial assistance when people lose their jobs, enrich young lives through quality programs, help people with disabilities thrive through specialized services and so much more.,” said Michele Rafferty, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Watch Guard 24/7.

See Watch Guard 24/7’s Instagram account for additional information.

Addabbo: Think before you decide to purchase a pet as a holiday gift this year

By New York State Senator Joseph Addabbo

As the holidays approach and people are thinking of what types of presents to get for their loved ones, I feel it is important for people to know the significance of buying a pet as a gift for their family members or friends.

We have all seen the heartwarming commercials where a kitten or dog is the big, surprise holiday gift.

While I really like the idea of an appropriate pet as a present, the gifted animal can come with unexpected care, procedures and costs.

Any pet — whether a cat, dog, bird, fish or reptile — are a true responsibility, so it is vital to find out if the recipient actually wants a pet and has the adequate resources to provide it with the care it needs.

Owning a pet is a long-term commitment, and giving an unexpected or unwanted animal for a present can lead to great heartbreak for both the recipient and the animal itself. To prevent such unhappy circumstances, I suggest:

– When considering whether to buy a pet for someone, first make certain the person actually wants one. If you are not confident that someone wants a pet as a gift, the best thing to do is ask. Find out what type of pet they would like and what type of pet they can handle.

– Be sure potential recipients can handle the varied costs and responsibilities associated with a new pet. There will be veterinarian bills, food costs, grooming, walks, the need for accessories and toys and much more. Depending on the animal and its needs, annual costs may be upwards of $1,000 a year. If the person appears unable to shoulder these costs and responsibilities, or may not have adequate time to dedicate to the animal, it may be best to consider a different gift.

Surprising someone with a pet can be a very bad idea. Taking in a pet means taking in a new family member, and it is a commitment that can last for many years.

The new pet owner must be ready and able to accept that responsibility.

In addition to my thoughts on the subject, the ASPCA’s official position on giving pets as gifts states that they should only be given to those who have expressed interest in owning one, and who have the ability to care for it adequately and responsibly.

If you do decide to get someone on your list the pet they have always wanted, make sure to get the animals from shelters and responsible breeders.

There are many wonderful and reputable animal shelters and rescue organizations right here in Queens, where the perfect pet can be adopted, and they are also always in need of volunteers and donations – another great avenue for improving the lives of animals this holiday season.

Making the right choice of whether to give a pet as a Holiday gift should make someone very happy for many years and give an animal the proper caring home.

Safe holidays

Dear Editor,
This holiday season many more people will gather to celebrate with family and friends. But they have to be sure they are vaccinated and not gather in large groups without masks.
The holidays can be celebrated safely, and we cannot allow COVID to indefinitely stop us from living our lives.
Sincerely,
John Amato
Fresh Meadows

Residents celebrate anniversary of stopping shelter

Local residents gathered outside the Holiday Inn Express in Maspeth to mark the 5th anniversary of the successful protests that stopped the city from housing the homeless at the hotel.
“They came to Maspeth and they thought they could force a shelter on us, but they had another thing coming because the people know how to fight,” one attendee told the crowd.
The rally also offered the opportunity to speak out about the city’s current homeless policies.
“That’s not what these hotels and motels were built for,” said mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa at the rally. “That’s what they should not be repurposed into.”
The Republican candidate recommended the city consider housing the homeless in commercial areas where warehouses are empty.
Attendees at the rally also called for the removal of Staeven Banks, who is commissioner of the Human Resources Adminstration/Department of Homeless Services. Banks has defended the city’s response to the homeless crisis, arguing that agencies at the state level are more to blame.
“There’s so much public focus on how the city should do more, but the state disinvestment is totally lost, we’re making up for them,” Banks said during a virtual City Council budget hearing earlier in the year. “There’s a real danger that New York state is going to continue to withdraw from providing support for the social safety net in New York City.”
Phil Wong, president of the Chinese-American Citizens Alliance, lives behind the Pan-American Hotel on Queens Boulevard, which serves as a homeless shelter for families. He said he saw children struggle to adapt to remote learning during the pandemic because of a lack of resources.
“Meanwhile, what do you see? Homeless under the LIE, in the subways and sleeping in parks,” he said. “So we are looking at outright abuse of our tax dollars. We’re talking about systems of sources that have failed for the last seven years. Steven Banks has to go.”

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