By Alex Ginsberg
Noting the “tremendous positive impact” the Bell Park SNAP Satellite Center has had for seniors in eastern Queens, City Council Speaker Gifford Miller (D-Manhattan) honored the program last week with a proclamation at City Hall.
Miller joined about 80 members of the center in the front of the council chamber as the clerk read from the proclamation: “SNAP has emerged as a devoted organization consummately dedicated to accepting the challenges confronting our population and in doing so has created a record of success, achievement and dedication that readily emerges as a yardstick for all such future programs.”
Miller stood in at the last minute for Councilman David Weprin (D-Hollis), who was unable to present the proclamation due to a death in the family.
SNAP, or Services Now for Adult Persons, is a non-profit program encompassing two senior centers (the Bell Park Satellite Center and the larger SNAP of Eastern Queens on the Creedmoor grounds) as well as transportation, meal deliveries, and other services for older citizens.
The organization is funded largely through the city Department of the Aging and the state Office of the Aging, according to its executive director, Linda Leest. But she said SNAP also receives additional direct funding from Queens officials, including Borough President Helen Marshall, assembly members Ann Margaret Carrozza (D-Bayside) and Mark Weprin (D-Bayside), state Sen. Frank Padavan (R-Bellerose), and Councilman David Weprin (D-Hollis).
David Weprin said his involvement with SNAP dated back to his campaign for City Council, which began in 1999. Since taking office last year, he has supported the organization with contributions from his discretionary funds – general monies each council member is entitled to spend within his district. Leest said Weprin's support alone was enough to run the Bell Park Satellite Center.
The center was established in 1988, she said, with assistance from former Councilman Sheldon Leffler.
“It is very true that Weprin has continued that support and we are extremely grateful,” she said.
Weprin was quick to recognize the importance of centers such as the Bell Park facility.
“Programs like SNAP really give seniors a chance to interact with each other, have stimulating programs and improve their quality of life,” he said in an interview.
Members of the Bell Park Satellite Center agreed. They described a vibrant and varied array of recreational activities made possible through the center, including games (canasta, bridge, bingo, mah- jongg and Scrabble with lessons for those who require them), exercise classes, music, entertainment, and computer classes.
One particular source of pride was the arts and crafts program in which seniors knit boots and hats for premature infants at area hospitals.
Center members also meet weekly to have coffee, cake and conversation.
What do they talk about?
“We talk about our sons-in-law, our daughters-in-law, our grandkids,” joked 81-year-old Francis Levine. “How they don't know how to bring them up. How they let them run wild.”
Reach reporter Alex Ginsberg by e-mail at Timesledger@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 157.
