— IN THE PAST WEEK —

Dear Neighbors,

As the weather gets cold, our district has many great places to warm up on the wonderful main streets throughout our communities. Take time to support the small businesses that keep our neighborhoods vibrant and fun!

As we continue our work to stop the spread of COVID-19, please remember: by wearing a mask, practicing social distancing, looking after our seniors and most vulnerable neighbors, and getting vaccinated we can continue to stay well and overcome this pandemic.

Please find below the latest news and resources to stay informed.

Thank you and stay well,

Council Member Paul Vallone
 
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Council Member Vallone and Self Help's Senior Transportation Program Resumes!

Councilmember Paul A. Vallone this week annoucned that the Selfhelp Community Services free senior transportation program has begun accepting calls for free rides. Vallone said he is proud to have steadlity grown this program over the eight years of his service, and it is one of the most central parts of his legacy as a Council Member

To make an appointment, seniors can call the Selfhelp Clearview Senior Center at 718-224-7888 between the hours of 9 a.m. and noon to schedule their next-day rides. Those who use the service will need to fill out a basic application with demographic information and an emergency contact and provide their destination. When ready for pickup, the senior will call again for their return trip.

"These rides have been a vital lifeline for many who have medical appointments that are not easy to access from our district, and I am glad to see how well recieved they have been." said Council Member Vallone, "Providing services for seniors is one of my most importatnt achievements as a Council Member in our great city over the last 8 years."

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Council Member Vallone and Queens Public Library Unveil Renderings of New Douglaston-Little Neck Library

Mayor Bill de Blasio, Council Member Paul Vallone, Borough President Donovan Richards and Assemblymember Edward Braunstein Invest in the New Douglaston-Little Neck Library

Council Member Paul A. Vallone, along with Queens Public Library (QPL), revealed today the latest renderings of the proposed QPL’s Douglaston-Little Neck Library. Council Member Vallone, Mayor Bill de Blasio, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, and Assemblymember Edward Braunstein have allocated funds for the new library, which will replace the current structure built in 1963.

The New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC) projects to complete the design phase in the coming year, with construction slated to begin in late 2023 and end in mid-2026.

The new building, with construction estimated to cost $25 million, will feature more than 12,000 square feet of space over three levels. It will also be compliant with the Americans with Disability Act and will include a children’s open air garden, among other features.

The community has been anticipating this project for years and the new structure will accommodate the public’s increasing demand for cultural and educational programs, advancing the Library’s mission to transform lives by cultivating personal and intellectual growth and by building strong communities.

Architectural drawings are available for viewing below.

“Douglaston deserves a state of the art library for their community that reflects current technological and information access needs, and with this investment of over $25 million the Queens Public Library has committed to creating a contemporary space for our residents," said Council Member Vallone. "I am grateful to Assemblymember Braunstein, the Mayor, and Borough President for their generous investments in Northeast Queens, and I am excited to see this ambitious project completed.”

"The Douglaston-Little Neck Library provides a wealth of vital services and programming to the local community, and Northeast Queens families will benefit from this new modernized facility for generations to come," said Assemblyman Edward Braunstein. "I look forward to the building's eventual grand opening and I want to thank Council Member Vallone and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards for prioritizing this important investment in our community."

“We look forward to our continued work to build a brand new, modernized library that will meet the public’s learning and information needs. The community deserves no less,” said Queens Public Library President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott. “Since he has been in office, Council Member Paul Vallone has demonstrated time and again his strong support for our libraries in his district and we are grateful to him, Mayor Bill de Blasio, Borough President Donovan Richards and his office, and Assemblymember Edward Braunstein for investing in this project.

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Grab and Go Meals for ALL

Even when school buildings are closed, free meals are still available at NYC Schools Meal Hubs!

To find a location near you visit http://schools.nyc.gov/freemeals
or text "NYC FOOD" to 877-877.

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Food Pantry Assistance

Our local food pantries in College Point, Flushing and Whitestone are offering assistance to hundreds of families and need our help. Please donate if you are able and spread the word! Thank you CEC D25!

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College Point Residents Organize Fundraiser to Deliver Meals

As our City continues to battle the effects of COVID-19, Northeast Queens residents continue to organize and offer a helping hand. College Point residents Jennifer Shannon, Cathy Shannon, James & Kathryn Cervino, and Margaret Loughlin have stepped up and launched a fundraiser to help College Point residents who are in need of food.

Organizers write: "We have been going strong throughout the summer, helping to keep the food pantry alive at First Reformed Church in CP. Thanks to generous donations from the community, businesses, and city partners, we have been helping the community throughout these difficult Covid times...Our focus has now fully shifted from thanking workers, which was a wonderful initiative, to supporting the food pantry."

I was proud to contribute to this local effort. Please offer a helping hand if you are able!

Find more information on GoFundMe

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— MORE NEWS —

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