Eight-year-old Hadiya Dixon of Hempstead decided to get her face painted while the Burwell sisters and their nanny of South Ozone Park decorated pumpkins that they plan to put on their front steps at home.
Chef Emily Peterson demonstrated her cooking skills by preparing buttermilk apple fritters for the parents while The Federation of Black Cowboys entertained children outside with horses. Horses Sparky and J Diamond showed their intelligence by counting to nine and taking bows.
Mary Reda, director of real property operations for GJDC, used one word to describe the turnout of the day — terrific.
“Our objective is to improve the quality of life by offering these things to the community,” Reda said. She also commented on how happy she was to see students of P.S. 86. at the event
The Queens Community House Afterschool Program at P.S. 86 brought a total of 47 students and 18 families to the harvest festival. Family coordinator Shelly Leewing expressed how important it was that the families supported the children.
“We’re trying to get the families more involved,” Leewing said. “When the parents are involved, the children do better.”
To end the day’s activities, judges announced The Hillside Hurricanes as the winner of the firemen’s chili cook-off. Monica Johnson, a resident of South Jamaica, was one of the judges who was pleased with how flavorful it was. “It had a nice taste,” she said. “A good kick to it.”
The winners received a check for $1,000 from GJDC to benefit the New York City Fire Department Burn Unit.
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