Photo Gallery
On November 28th, Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer addressed over 40 women business leaders at the LIC Business Women event at Big City Graph-X & Printing, co-owned by Raquel Salas, in Long Island City. The Council Member, a strong supporter of the group and local businesses, spoke about the importance of local small and medium size businesses to our local economy. He also introduced Speaker Christine Quinn who was on hand to answer questions about the City's small business initiatives.
On November 28th, Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer purchased and donated a Christmas tree for Sohncke Square Park in Woodside so there would be a tree in the Square this holiday season. Woodside on the Move will decorate the tree and will hold a tree lighting ceremony at 6 p.m., Saturday, December 3rd. Council Member Van Bramer was joined by Mike McSweeney, Katherine Volpe, Barbara Coleman, and Parks Department employees as the tree was planted.
On Thanksgiving, Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer congratulated and presented trophies to to all the kids who finished the LIC YMCA's 1st Annual Turkey Trot, a mini-marathon and program which encourages healthy lifestyles and aims to reduce childhood obesity.
On November 23rd, Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer and his mother visited Ravenswood Senior Center to celebrate Thanksgiving. A strong supporter of seniors, Council Member Van Bramer frequently visits the centers in his district and supports their programs.
Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer joined (from left to right) Rev. Bobby Moore, Council Member Peter Vallone, State Senator Michael Gianaris, and Bishop Mitchell Taylor at the East River Development Alliance on Wednesday, November 23, 2011 when turkeys secured by Sen. Gianaris were delivered to the Astoria Houses for Thanksgiving.
On the Eve of Thanksgiving, Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer, a long-time advocate of food pantries, joined Bishop Mitchell Taylor and New York City Coalition Against Hunger Executive Director Joel Berg for the release of the Coalition’s annual report on the state of food pantries in Queens at the Bread of Life food pantry in Long Island City.
Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer talks to Dr. Naureen Zafar during a tour of the Medina Clinic at Harlem Hospital Center with the Council Committees on Immigration and Civil Rights on Wednesday, November 23, 2011. The Medina Clinic offers “culturally-sensitive” affordable healthcare to New York City’s West African population. Before the Medina Clinic, the West African Community had poor access to health care. Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer is a member of the Civil Rights Committee.
On Nov. 22nd, Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer addressed the District Council 37’s Briefing of New York City elected officials. DC. DC 37 held the event to discuss the state of the city’s largest municipal union, which has over 120,000 municipal employees and 50,000 retirees. The Council Member is the son of two union members and a strong supporter of DC 37. Council Member Van Bramer chairs the Cultural Affairs Committee at City Council and the city’s cultural institutions and libraries depend on the thousands of dedicated DC 37 employees who staff them.
On November 22nd, Just a few days before Thanksgiving, City Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer delivered 500 pounds of turkey courtesy of Howard Koeppell and Koeppell Auto Group to the Bread of Life food pantry Tuesday afternoon. The gift will ensure a happy Thanksgiving for dozens of local families and aid Bread of Life in its crucial mission of feeding hungry Queens residents as many continue to struggle in this difficult economy. Bishop Mitchell Taylor of Center for Hope International Church was on hand to accept the gift.
Van Bramer is committed to helping the hungry and his 2nd Annual Holiday food Drive is currently underway. The Council Member is encouraging residents to donate canned and non-perishable goods at participating Queens Libraries locations or his district office at 47-01 Queens Boulevard. Last year, residents and business owners displayed their generosity by donating hundreds of canned goods and non-perishable food items to help local food pantries supply food for families this holiday season.
On Tuesday, November 22nd, Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer joined Principal Anna Efkarpides, parents and students at PS 11 in Woodside for a peace march and anti-violence rally at the school. The march was in response to the rise of bullying and senseless violence that has become a perpetual problem in schools today. All 1,300 students joined the Council Member in marching around the school carrying hand-made signs, photos and shouting cheers calling for peace. The event took on a somber note when the mothers of two young people and alumni of PS 11 who were killed were acknowledged. Both young people lost their lives to violence. Van Bramer has been a strong advocate for anti-bullying and anti-violence initiatives. Each year, the Council Member hosts Respect for All events around the district, as part of the City Council’s initiative to speak out against bullying and has led rallies and events condemning violence.