Roosevelt Island Residents Honored For Volunteer Service By NYC First Lady Chirlane McCray At Gracie Mansion - Congrats

As #NationalVolunteerMonth comes to a close, we're collecting #volunteer stories from New Yorkers like you!

Share how you #ServeNYC & submit your volunteer story at https://t.co/dj4zZ9NG0O. We'll use it to inspire 8.6 million New Yorkers to give back. #UnityThroughService pic.twitter.com/p3kOXHKCue

— NYC Service (@NYCService) April 30, 2018

According to the NYC Mayor's Office, on April 30:

First Lady Chirlane McCray and NYC Chief Service Officer Paula Gavin held a ceremony at Gracie Mansion to recognize over 400 New Yorkers who volunteered 500 hours or more of their time to serve their communities. They also honored over two dozen businesses that engaged at least 20 percent of their New York City based employees as volunteers in 2017 through the Mayoral Service Recognition Program.

The Mayoral Service Recognition Program recognizes New Yorkers who engage in at least 100 hours of volunteer service a year and businesses that engage at least 20 percent of their NYC-based employees in volunteerism. In 2017, nearly 5,000 residents each contributed over 100 hours of volunteer service.

“Volunteers play a critical role in making New York City the fairest big city in the world,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “I want to thank all the New Yorkers who take the time to get involved in their communities and help their neighbors.”

“This is a City government that believes in the power of service to others, and I am honored to celebrate these outstanding New Yorkers,” said First Lady Chirlane McCray. “In immeasurable ways, volunteers help us build stronger communities —by helping young people discover the magic of the arts, serving a meal to a family in need, cleaning up our parks, or encouraging their employees in volunteerism — and their service makes a difference for thousands of New Yorkers. I am always inspired by their acts of kindness and extraordinary commitment.”...

Roosevelt Island residents Frank Farance and Ron Davidson

were among those honored at Gracie Mansion for their volunteer service.

Mr. Farance reports:

... volunteer work is really important, and it's something that many people should make time for ... even a couple hours a week. There are many places to volunteer, not just CERT (myself) or the Senior Center (Ron), for example one can volunteer at any of the City's parks, helping the homeless, volunteering at the VA or a hospital (e.g., Coler Hospital on the Island), and a zillion other places. See NYC Service at https://www.nycservice.org/

Mr Farance was recognized for his volunteer work with the NYC Office Of Emergency Management Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

and Mr. Davidson for his work on the Senior Center outdoor terrace garden.

Mr. Davidson adds:

... Taking a cue from the speakers we heard at Gracie Mansion ..., I'm ​only beginning to ​understand​ why we​ need to acknowledge how our​ experiences​ may encourage others.

In our small island context, it's a mistake not to let everyone know ​about Roosevelt Islanders who ​were among the 400+ New Yorkers who ​clocked more than 500 ​volunteer ​hours in 2017.

​Here are a few links which explain about the broader context of the event which honored ordinary New Yorkers. -- see​ ​ "NYC Volunteers Count 2017"; and see​ ​Priorities -- NYC Service Reports" ; and see​ also re​ volunteering 1000+ hours: "Marking the End of National Volunteer Month, de Blasio Administration Celebrates New York City Volunteers," April 28, 2017....

This is a City government that believes in the power of service to others, and we thank ALL the volunteers whose work helps our families and communities thrive. #UnityThroughService pic.twitter.com/QyqD0YDHB3

— Chirlane McCray (@NYCFirstLady) May 1, 2018

Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer adds:

Congrats to all!