One Brooklyn
November 11, 2020
Photo Credit: Erica Krodman/Brooklyn BP’s Office
Brooklyn, NY – Yesterday, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams hosted his second “Brooklyn COVID Heroes” ceremony outside Brooklyn Borough Hall, recognizing 186 Brooklynites from all walks of life who have gone above and beyond during the pandemic. One of the heroes honored was Dr. Anthony Fauci, who was born and raised in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn and currently serves as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). Dr. Fauci appeared virtually via Zoom to deliver remarks during the ceremony, noting his upbringing in Brooklyn and how the values he was raised with help to guide him in his current role.
“The 186 heroes we recognized today embody the best of our borough, and we owe them a debt of gratitude for their service to their communities during this pandemic. It is a particular privilege to recognize a widely-admired public health official and a proud son of Brooklyn, Dr. Anthony Fauci, as one of our COVID Heroes. Since the beginning of this pandemic, Dr. Fauci has been a reassuring champion of science and reason who has navigated our nation through turbulent times. Dr. Fauci is the best of what public service can be, and we are so proud to be able to welcome him back (virtually) to his home borough as we thank him for his heroic and lifesaving leadership,” said Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams.
Photo Credit: Erica Krodman/Brooklyn BP’s Office
The honorees yesterday showcased the diversity of a borough where 47 percent of residents speak a language other than English at home. They hailed from neighborhoods around the borough and all walks of life. Borough President Adams previously held a COVID Heroes ceremony at Brooklyn Borough Hall in September. Among the honorees recognized yesterday were:
- Seema Aghera, founder of Brooklyn Book Bodega, who helped to give out 22,000 books to more than 4,000 people in the borough.
- Aneres Houston, a 10-year-old volunteer who assisted in distributing groceries to residents in her community.
- Joanne Brown, a Warren Street Houses resident who coordinated the distribution of thousands of meals to her neighbors during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Sophie Katz, a volunteer nurse from the state of Georgia who volunteered to see patients at The Brooklyn Hospital Center at the height of the pandemic.
- Bradley Vogel, captain of the Gowanus Dredgers who worked to keep the Gowanus community engaged in supporting local people and businesses.
- Greenpoint Community Kitchen, which provided free food to residents of Greenpoint and the surrounding community every week.
- East Brooklyn Mutual Aid, which enlisted volunteers to shop and delivery groceries to persons in need in Brownsville, Ocean Hill, East New York, and Cypress Hill.
- Red Hook Relief, an organization that formed during the pandemic in solidarity with its at risk neighbors, to provide a variety of services and support to long-standing community members.
- Terrence Floyd, the activist brother of late George Floyd, who, at the height of the pandemic, fought for police reforms across the country in the wake of his brother’s killing at the hands of the Minneapolis Police Department in May, which sparked nationwide protests.
- Rabbi Moishe Winner, founder, religious leader and spiritual advisor of the Seabreeze Jewish Center, who coordinated the delivery of meals to homebound seniors in the community.
- Macon Street Block Association, which provided myriad services to seniors on the block, such as rides to the polls for early voting and nightly events to applaud first responders.
- Francisco and Marilyn Fernandez, operators of the Iglesia Sol de Justicia food pantry, which expanded its operations to meet the food needs of residents across the borough by renting a nearby storefront and transforming it into a food pantry logistics space.
- Stephanie Marie Frierson BA, RN, a single mother who found time to lead virtual youth bible study classes while fighting COVID-19 as a nurse at The Brooklyn Hospital Center.
- Dr. Urchin Kennedy, a Columbia University epidemiologist and community volunteer who delivers meals to about 22 of her neighbors in Cadman Towers, and provides them with social companionship to lift their spirits.
- Alap Vora, owner of Concord Market, who distributed food and personal protective equipment (PPE) in his neighborhood, including to the staff at The Brooklyn Hospital Center.
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