Jun. 15, 2023 By Anthony Medina
Mayor Eric Adams greeted seniors at the Peter Cardella Senior Citizens Center, located at 68-52 Fresh Pond Road, in Ridgewood, on Wednesday, June 14.
Adams arrived at the senior center around 1 p.m., where he was met by the center’s staff and those seniors who wanted a glimpse of the mayor. He was expected to arrive after hosting a Queens Clergy Roundtable in Far Rockaway earlier in the day.
The mayor spoke on his resilience in recent years and the state of the city, noting that “we’re not coming back, we’re back.”
Adams also spoke on his time as mayor, as well as his tenure as a police officer in the NYPD and how the memory of his late mother remains a vital manifestation of comfort and support for him.
Members from the mayor’s office later distributed refrigerator magnets to seniors, allowing them to write important personal and contact information, in case of an emergency, where first responders are needed.
“I’m so happy they welcomed him and they were very, very excited,” said Barbara Toscano, director of the Peter Cardella Senior Citizens Center.
Toscano is a long-time community member who worked at the senior center since 1992. She became director eight years after first joining and continues to serve the community for over 30 years.
The center stays busy, cooking between 120 to 220 meals for seniors a day and organizing activities throughout the week, Toscano said. The center usually receives 200 seniors on its typical high volume days and thanks to a grant for Meals on Wheels, the center is able to deliver 500 meals to seniors in the community board 2 and 5 neighborhoods.
Toscano shared her thanks to the mayor’s office and Community Board 5 District Manager Gary Giordano, for attending.
Mayor Adams arrives at the Peter Cardella Senior Citizens Center and briefs seniors on the state of the city. Photo by Anthony Medina
Attendees at the Peter Cardella Senior Citizens Center hope to capture the mayor’s visit on their phones.Photo by Anthony Medina
Mayor Adams stands beside Peter Cardella Senior Citizens Center Director Barbara Toscano.Photo by Anthony Medina
Seniors rush to greet Adams moments after hearing his speech.Photo by Anthony Medina
Mayor Adams poses for a group photo with members of the Peter Cardella Senior Citizens Center.Photo by Anthony Medina