A Kew Gardens resident has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for holiday lights (Photo courtesy of EJ Sydell)
Oct. 18, 2022 By Max Murray
A Kew Gardens resident has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for holiday lights along Lefferts Boulevard.
EJ Sydell, a Community Board 9 member, has joined forces with two other residents in an attempt to raise $21,675 to light up the retail strip in Kew Gardens. The funds would pay for 10 holiday lights that would go up on Lefferts Boulevard from Kew Gardens Road through to Metropolitan Avenue.
“We want some much-needed festivity in our neighborhood,” Sydell said, who added that many Kew Gardens businesses also need local support this holiday season. She also said that many residents need some holiday cheer as they are unhappy about the construction of the borough-based jail in the area.
Sydell said that she took the initiative to launch the GoFundMe because Kew Gardens doesn’t have a chamber of commerce or Business Improvement District that could organize and fund the lights.
She said she seeks simple white 3D snowflakes, which would go up where the stores are located to help bring them business. The cost is $1,675 per snowflake, plus there are fees for permits and electricity.
Sydell said that she has partnered on the fundraiser with Miriam Kessler, who is part of the P.S. 99 Parents’ Association, and Nathalie Reid, who owned Thyme Health Market on the Lefferts Boulevard Bridge, which has closed.
She said that if they don’t raise the $21,675 needed to put up lights, the contributions will be redirected toward a P.S. 99 holiday project.
The proceeds will fund a children’s project where the students will make secular decorations for store windows and put them up on Thanksgiving weekend. The funds will pay for art supplies and white string lights.
To contribute, click here.
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