AAOHA Thanksging Turkey Dinner Giveaway

 

People who came to the Albanian American Open Hands Association free food giveaway on Thanksgiving also received a free turkey dinner complete with stuffing, mashed potatoes, string beans, and rolls. 

AAOHA founder and President Aleksander Nilaj said that he was extremly happy to help those who may not have had a Thanksgiving turkey dinner with extras. The AAOHA free food giveaway is located at 821 Lydig Avenue corner of Matthews Avenue in the Pelhan Parkway Area of the Bronx. 

People must sign in to receive free vegtables and other items from the AAOHA.

AAOHA Founder and President Aleksander Nilaj stands in front of the boxes of food the AAOHA gives out every week.

One of the AAOHA volunteers helps load up this womans bag with high quality produce.  

The free Thanksgiving turkey dinners are set up on these tables with breads in boxes out of the photo.

A photo of what was inside each dinner or package of stuffing that went with the dinners.

Release of Body Worn Camera Footage from an Officer Involved Shooting that Occurred on December 4, 2022 in the Confines of the 44th Precinct

The NYPD is releasing today body-worn camera footage from an officer-involved shooting that occurred on December 4, 2022 in the confines of the 44th Precinct.

The video includes available evidence leading up to the incident as well as during the incident. The NYPD is releasing this video for clear viewing of the totality of the incident.

All NYPD patrol officers are equipped with body-worn cameras. The benefits of cameras are clear: transparency into police activity, de-escalation of police encounters and accountability for police officers, through an independent account of interactions between the police and the citizens they serve. Body-worn cameras serve as a vital part of ongoing efforts to increase trust between the police and all New Yorkers.

You can find the video here 

The Bronx Chamber of Commerce - The Bronx Chamber of Commerce

 

Join the Board of Directors and the leadership team of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce as we celebrate the holidays together during the Bronx Chamber's Holiday Toy Box, building imagination and business on Thursday, December 14, 2023 at 6:30pm at Pelham Bay & Split Rock Golf Course, 870 Shore Road Bronx, NY.

This is a great opportunity to cut loose, enjoy dinner, dancing, networking, and friendship. It is also a great way to celebrate your co-workers and team! Consider purchasing a table and bring your colleagues.

Should you have any questions, please email: events@bronxchamber.org.

To donate new toys for our annual toy drive, please email, Dolores Saldana, dolores@bronxchamber.org.

Reserve Your Spot - Click Here

Woman Convicted for Voter Fraud Scheme

 

A federal jury in Sioux City, Iowa, convicted an Iowa woman for a voter fraud scheme during the Iowa 2020 primary and general elections.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Kim Phuong Taylor, 49, of Sioux City, perpetrated a scheme to fraudulently generate votes for her husband in the primary election for Iowa’s 4th U.S. Congressional District in June 2020. After Taylor’s husband lost in the primary, he ran for Woodbury County Supervisor in the 2020 general election and Taylor again engaged in ballot fraud, causing absentee ballots to be fraudulently requested and cast. Taylor submitted or caused others to submit dozens of voter registrations, absentee ballot request forms, and absentee ballots containing false information. Taylor completed and signed voter forms without voters’ permission and told others that they could sign on behalf of relatives who were not present.

The jury convicted Taylor of 26 counts of providing false information in registering and voting, three counts of fraudulent registration, and 23 counts of fraudulent voting. She faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for each count. A sentencing date will be set after a presentence report is prepared. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Timothy T. Duax for the Northern District of Iowa, Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel of the FBI Omaha Field Office, and Acting Inspector in Charge Brad Mahs of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Denver Division made the announcement.

The FBI Omaha Field Office and USPIS Denver Division investigated the case.

Governor Hochul Signs Legislation to Keep Kids Safe from Cardiac Emergencies

 

Legislation S.7424/A.366A Requires Camps and Youth Sports Programs to Establish an AED Implementation Plan

Legislation Supported by Buffalo Bills Safety Damar Hamlin Aims to Save Lives, Protect Youth

Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation S.7424/A.366A requiring camps and youth sports programs to establish automated external defibrillator, or AED, implementation plans and to have at least one person trained to properly use the AED at camps, games and practice.

"We all remember the terrifying moment when Damar Hamlin was injured last January, but young athletes at schools and camps could be exposed to similar risks," Governor Hochul said. "By requiring camps and youth sports programs to establish an AED implementation plan, kids will be safer and teams will be prepared. I want every parent in New York to know: we're doing everything we can to keep your kids safe."

Buffalo Bills Safety Damar Hamlin said, “Growing up, in all the years that I played football, I don’t remember thinking about where an AED was located or who was trained to use one. I think that many people have had the same experience. My journey has shown us that no one expects cardiac arrest to happen - and we all need to be prepared. By requiring that at least one person is trained to properly use an AED at every sports event, camp and practice, this new law will help protect tens of thousands of kids in New York State - and is a really important step in saving lives.”

Legislation S.7424/A.366A, pursuant to changes agreed to with the Legislature, will require camps and youth sports programs with five or more teams participating to establish an AED implementation plan. Such plans will detail how AEDs will be made available or reasonably accessible at every camp, game or practice. The AED implementation plans will also detail how the camps and programs will ensure that when practicable at least one employee, volunteer, coach, umpire or other qualified adult who has successfully completed a training course in the operation of an AED is present.

Bronx Chamber of Commerce - Bronx Business News You Can Use

  

Upcoming Events, Legislative News, Grant Opportunities, & More Please view/allow images in your email program so you don't miss a thing!

(Friday) Extra, Extra Click here for this week's video: Happy Thanksgiving, the Bronx Chamber's offices are closed from November 23 - 24. Small Business Saturday, 11/25/2023 Breaking Bread, Building Bonds Dinner a Success Retail Theft Taskforce Launched  Legislation & Advocacy Mayor Adams Appoints Jeff Garcia as Executive Director for the Office of Nightlife Updates from Department of Consumer Affairs CitiBike Expansion Upcoming Events Bally's Holiday Bash, 12/1/2023 at 7:00 pm, 500 Hutchinson River Parkway Annual Bronx Chamber Holiday Party, December 14 from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm, Pelham Bay Split Rock Golf Course, 870 Shore Road

BREAKING BREAD, BUILDING BONDS WITH NYC DEPARTMENT OF SMALL BUSINESS SERVICES

Breaking Bread, Building Bonds The Bronx Chamber of Commerce joined NYC Department of Small Business Services Commissioner Kevin Kim for the 2023 Breaking Bread Building Bonds Dinner. This meeting determined to organize one thousand meals and conversations across the city, starting in early 2023, with ten everyday people from New York City's diverse communities that make our city. This citywide initiative from Mayor Eric Adams aims to cultivate the immense diversity of our city and bring New Yorkers together to learn about common bonds, share cultures and traditions, and break down silos between communities. There is more that bonds us than divides us.  These efforts seek to unite New Yorkers regardless of their background, build understanding, and aid in ending bias, hate, and discrimination. This initiative is being led by the Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes (OPHC) and the Mayor's Community Affairs Unit (CAU).

MAYOR ADAMS LAUNCHES TASK FORCE TO COMBAT RETAIL THEFT

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced the release of a comprehensive plan to combat retail theft across New York City’s five boroughs. With the exception of 2020, the total number of citywide shoplifting complaints has increased year over year since 2018, with the largest increase — 44 percent — from 2021 to 2022. The increase in retail theft has had a particularly significant impact on retailers that are still recovering from the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Retail Theft Report — created through a collaborative effort between retailers, law enforcement, and other stakeholders that came together through a summit hosted by Mayor Adams at Gracie Mansion — includes both upstream, program-oriented solutions and enhanced enforcement efforts, as well as information on existing efforts across New York City agencies to combat retail theft.

LEGISLATION & ADVOCACY

Mayor Adams Appoints Jeffrey Garcia as Office of Nightlife Executive Director  Mayor Adams held a press conference to announce the appointment of Jeffrey Garcia to the position of executive director of the city’s Office of Nightlife (“ONL”). Garcia is a born and bred New Yorker who has spent his career dedicated to public service, in and out of government, supporting the people and small businesses that make New York the greatest city in the world. He previously served as president of the NYS Latino Restaurant, Bar, and Lounge Association and served on the NYC Small Business Advisory Council. For more information, Click Here

‘TIS THE SEASON! WITH SOME HELPFUL SHOPPING TIPS FROM DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AND WORKER PROTECTION Last week the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga issued annual Holiday Shopping Tips to help consumers navigate this holiday season. With these helpful multilingual tips, New Yorkers will be able to avoid seasonal scams and overspending while also learning how to create a budget and be smarter shoppers.

CITI BIKE EXPANSION IN THE BRONX Citi Bike has been expanded in three phases. To encourage ridership in the most recent expansion area, Lyft (the operator of Citi bike) offers a 40% discount for new annual members, as well as other discounts for existing members and NYCHA residents/SNAP recipients. The deadline to register is December 31, 2023. For more information, Click Here

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

NYC Funds Finder NYC's Department of Small Business Services (SBS) and Next Street announced the launch of a new platform connecting small businesses with trusted resources they need to open, grow, and maintain their business. The user-friendly platform – NYC Funds Finder is where small businesses can review funding options, including loans and grants, and request free 1-on-1 financing assistance from the SBS team.  NYC Funds Finder is a partnership between SBS and Next Street and the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth. Next Street Scale, the platform that powers NYC Funds Finder, was created to address the hurdles that small businesses, especially those run by women and minorities, face in accessing the resources required to grow their business and build wealth.

M/WBE Certification Unlocking Opportunities The Bronx Chamber of Commerce is proud to partner with NYC SBS to help guide you through the application process of getting certified as a Minority/Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE). This certification program, offered by NYC Small Business Services, is a critical initiative aimed at promoting diversity and inclusion in government contracting and procurement processes. The program seeks to create opportunities for businesses owned and operated by minority individuals and women, ensuring they have fair access to government contracts and economic opportunities, opens your business up to increased opportunities from New York City agencies, free advertising in the NYC Online Directory of Certified Businesses, mentorship programs and workshops, networking events, and more. The City has committed to awarding $16 billion in contracts to M/WBE certified organizations over the next decade--don’t miss out! Are you eligible? (Qualification checklist below) Business is legally authorized to transact business in New York City Business has been in operation for at least one year Business is more than 51% minority and/or woman owned

LOSS PREVENTION TECHNOLOGY SURVEY Loss Prevention Technology Survey, The Bronx Chamber of Commerce and our partners have issued a brief survey titled, "The Future is Here for Retail Theft Prevention." The survey seeks to understand business needs in the area of retail loss prevention. Take the Survey - Click Here

UPCOMING EVENTS

Bally's Golf Links Holiday Bash December 1 Join Ballys for a festive celebration welcoming Bally's Golf Links Ferry Point to the Bronx! This event promises a jolly good time for all. Swing into the holiday spirit and enjoy a cocktail-style party. Your ticket includes festive-inspired specialty cocktails, light bites, and music entertainment by DJ BK. Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to enjoy the holidays in style at Bally's Golf Links Holiday Bash. We can't wait to celebrate with you! *21+ event Reserve Your Spot 2023 Annual Holiday Party - Toy Drive December 14 from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm Pelham Bay Split Rock Golf Course 870 Shore Road Bronx NY $130 - Members $1,100 Table of Ten $150 - Non-Members $1,250 Table of Ten It's never too early to celebrate the holidays with the Bronx Chamber of Commerce. Save the date for our annual holiday party. Enjoy cocktails, dinner, dancing, and live music. Reserve Your Spot

For the complete Bronx Chamber Events Calendar, featuring educational workshops, networking events and other opportunities hosted by the Chamber, its members, & partners, please visit and bookmark our website events calendar link in your browser - new events are added weekly!