On February 23, NYC Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer attended a special fundraiser and concert held in Sunnyside, Queens. The benefit was done on behalf of the Wheeler Family, who tragically lost their son last December in the Newtown, Connecticut school shooting. Prior to Newtown, the Wheelers were once former residents of Sunnyside. The event was organized by friends and former neighbors and was held at Sunnyside Community Services.
It attracted over 150 local families and residents to join in. Attendees dined on food donated by local restaurants and enjoyed listening to children's music. Activities such as face painting, a magic show, and raffle were also held for entertainment. Winners of the raffle won two JetBlue tickets and nearly $800 was raised for the Wheeler Family. Many Sunnyside residents were instrumental in making this special event come alive.
Also on February 23, Council Member Van Bramer was invited to speak at the Sunnyside/Woodside Girl Scouts Sleepover at St. Sebastian's Parish Center in Woodside. Nearly 200 Girl Scouts from Sunnyside, Woodside, Astoria, Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, Corona, and Howard Beach were in attendance, along with their family members. During the event, the Council Member took questions from the scouts and explained to them the importance of community service. Towards the end, Van Bramer was awarded a T-shirt bearing the Sunnyside/Woodside Girl Scouts logo.
Finally, last month on January 31 Council Member Van Bramer, along with Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan, State Senator Michael Gianaris, and representatives from the School Construction Authority and Department of Education broke ground on the site of Sunnyside's newest school, P.S. 313.
The school, scheduled to open in September 2014 to serve students from Pre-K to 5th Grade, will have an area of about 75,000 square feet and be able to hold over 430 students. P.S. 313 will contain 20 classrooms, a state-of-the-art gymatorium, cafeteria, kitchen, various administrative and medical suites, an art and science room and library. In addition, it will have a roof top play yard and separate early childhood play area. P.S. 313 will be located at 45-45 42nd Street Sunnyside, Queens.
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