Avella Auction to Aid Northeast Queens Nonprofits in Need of Funding

State Sen. Tony Avella, D-Bayside, is hosting an auction in Bayside on June 8 to raise money for five local nonprofits that could be forced to close this year due to a lack of city and state funding.  

The auction will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Bayside Historical Society, which is located at 208 Totten Ave. in Fort Totten.  

Funds raised during the event will be split evenly between the historical society, Poppenhusen Institute, Greater Whitestone Taxpayers Community Center and the North Flushing Senior Center’s sites in Flushing and College Point.  

“We’re raising money for groups who have lost their discretionary funding and are in danger of closing,” Avella said. “We want to keep senior centers and historical societies open. There will be a huge outcry if they close and the amount to reinstate them will be expensive.”  

The senator is calling on local residents to donate auction items that would be bid on to raise funds for the nonprofits.  

Currently, he has amassed paintings, antiques, sports memorabilia, vases, two Mets baseball card collections, furniture and a signed Joe Namath card.  

There will be a $2 donation at the door on the day of the event.  

Residents can drop off items to be auctioned at Avella’s office, located at 38-50 Bell Blvd., Suite C in Bayside, or at the offices of any of the five nonprofits.  

“We have school programs and exhibits,” said Paul DiBenedetto, president of the Bayside Historical Society. “But we’re not getting state funding. We need operational funds to keep things going. We are on a skeleton staff right now.”  

Avella said most of the groups have been struggling since 2010 when the executive branch of the staff eliminated discretionary funds for elected officials.  

“We have funds through the end of the year, but if we don’t get more, we’ll have to close up,” said John Gargiulo, of the Greater Whitestone Taxpayers Community Center. “We’ve existed for 26 years and we’re the only senior center in Whitestone.”  

Susan Brustman, of the Poppenhusen Institute, said the landmarked site has been highly utilizing volunteers to carry out its classes, which include karate, drama and guitar.  

“Queens is a borough of neighborhoods,” she said. “And people depend on these services.”