Very often, Forestdale teens feel inspired to reciprocate to their community the support and assistance they have received. Such an example is found in the story of April Soto, a Forestdale teen who is now a freshman at Plaza College, a private college in Jackson Heights, Queens. “A few years ago, some of my friends were tired of always staying home, not being able to go out, so they went aruond with a petition to build a skate park by the beach to be free – have fun. Believe it or not, almost everyone in the Rockaway Park area signed,” she recounts. Through her desire to create a fun, safe environment, April and her friends accomplished their goal to build the park.

In the same spirit, Forestdale teens have taken it upon themselves to return good will to those in need. In late 2009, they seized the initiative to organize, promote and execute a drive for canned foods. Now, they are preparing a Bottled Water Drive to aid Haitians in need of clean drinking water. We are currently accepting donations of any amount of water. Complete cases are preferred, for ease of shipping, but we are happy to receive any possible donation. Please ensure that the bottles are unopened and labeled.

If you would like to donate, please contact Rick Furel in our Youth Development department at 718-263-0740 ext 251, or rfurel@forestdaleinc.org.

Thanks in advance for your consideration!