You are reading

Jackson Heights Beautification Group brings back ‘good neighbor’ award

JHBGJuly 1, 2015 By Michael Florio

Residents and local business owners who work to better the Jackson Heights community may well be recognized for it this fall.

The Jackson Heights Beautification Group, a civic group that aims to enhance the neighborhood, will be bringing back its “Good Neighbor Award,” after a 10-year absence.

Len Maniace, the group’s president, said that 10 awards will be handed out to residents/business owners this year.  The group selects people who work with children, or maintain gardens, or increase the appeal of apartment buildings, or upgrade storefronts.

“We honor those who keep Jackson Heights looking beautiful and serve those in the community,” he said.

Maniace said the awards will be handed out at a special dinner at the Community United Methodist Church, located at 81-10 35th Ave, on September 26th.

He said that Jackson Heights residents can nominate people by sending an e-mail to Events@jhbg.org, with the name of the resident and why he or she should receive the award.

Maniace said people are free to nominate themselves.

Nominations are being accepted until July 15th.

The group’s Good Neighbor Award committee, made up of roughly five members, will review all of the nominations, Maniace said.

The Jackson Heights Beautification Group began giving out the Good Neighbor awards in the early 90’s—shortly after its 1988 founding.

“We started this as a way to recognize those who make the neighborhood a better place,” he said.

However, the group stopped handing out the awards about 10 years ago.

“It wasn’t a case of us not wanting to do it anymore, it was a case of us being busy doing other things in the neighborhood,” he said.

The group decided to bring back the award now and have an event as a means to bring the community together.

“We view Jackson Heights as a small town in a big city and this helps capture that feel,” he said.

Maniace believes bringing back the awards can only benefit the neighborhood.

“It sets an example,” he said. “If you honor those who do good things in the neighborhood maybe others see that and do the same.”

email the author: news@queenspost.com
No comments yet

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

Advocates urge passage of New York for All Act as Assembly session nears end

Jun. 16, 2025 By Jimmy Robles

As the State Senate concluded its legislative session on Thursday, immigrant rights advocates renewed calls for lawmakers to pass the New York for All Act before the Assembly adjourns on Tuesday, June 17. The proposed legislation, along with several other immigration-related bills, remains pending as the clock winds down on this year’s session.

Queens gun buyback takes 74 firearms off streets, including ghost guns and assault weapons: DA

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Monday that 74 firearms were taken off the streets at the Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral of New York in Jamaica during a gun buyback event on Saturday, June 14. The weapons were exchanged for bank cards pre-loaded with cash, with no identification required and no questions asked.

“Gun buybacks serve as a critical tool for reducing gun violence and promoting public safety within our communities,” Katz said. “This Saturday, working with the NYPD and clergy leaders in Jamaica, we received 74 surrendered guns — including five automatic weapons. As a result, these firearms will not be used to cause heartache and tragedy.”

Queens Distance Runners hosts second annual track meet at St. John’s University, spotlighting Olympian and local talent

Jun. 16, 2025 By Paulina Albarracin

Dozens of runners gathered at the DaSilva Field Track in St. John’s University for the second annual track meet last month. Hosted by Queens Distance Runners (QDR), a grassroots running organization, the sporting competition welcomed sprinters and distance runners of all skill levels to test their abilities, vying for the podium in track events from 100 meters to 5,000 meters.

Elmhurst bus stop tragedy: Senior killed in freak accident involving Q52 on Friday the 13th

A Middle Village senior was struck and killed by an MTA bus in what officials say was a freak accident at a bus stop in front of Hoffman Park in Elmhurst on Friday the 13th.

Police from the 110th Precinct in Elmhurst responded to a 911 call of a vehicle accident at the intersection of Hoffman Drive and Woodhaven Boulevard just before 2 p.m., where they found the victim lying on the roadway after he was struck by an MTA Q52 bus. EMS responded to the scene of the collision and rushed the senior to Elmhurst Hospital, where he was listed in critical condition but succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead a short while later.