A Gotham mantra – it’s better to give than receive...” – takes a special meaning as next month begins. Not just because Gotham approaches a countdown to when our tribe announces the recipient charities of its annual Season of Giving. In just over two weeks, the first Tuesday, after Thanksgiving, that’s Tuesday, December 3, this year 2024, Giving Tuesday takes place.

The non-profit senior services agency, Services Now for Adult Persons (SNAP) holds a special place for this correspondent. I chair its diverse and professional Board of Directors which also include Gotham members Renee Richter and Jeff Greenwood; Gotham’s Joshua Zinder’s JZA & D firm is our architect and Steve Glassberg is our construction counsel. Last year’s Season of Giving awarded SNAP through its selection by Insurance Doctor Rob Intelisano. While SNAP amassed $2 million in state and Federal grants, some $1.7 million shortfalls in funding remain to complete new older adult center and base for our senior services programs; SNAP’s ongoing capital campaign that merits your support. Then-outgoing Member of Congress Tom Suozzi secured a $750,000 federal grant which the agency submitted paperwork I prepared and SNAP hopes to realize soon. Last fall, State Senator Tony Stavisky visited our site that we look forward to vacate on the Creedmoor campus in Queens Village to announce a $1,000,000 state grant. I already submitted the necessary documents to DASNY (the NYS Dormitory Authority) and hope to begin work soon. This fall State Senator Leroy Comrie secured another $250,000 through DASNY; I prepared the initial paperwork and await word from DASNY on next steps (similar to what I prepared on the Stavisky grant).

Other charities I support include Vincent and Susan Russo’s The Theresa Foundation which successively honored Friday’s blogger in 2015 and this Gotham Sunday blogger the following year, and the Kings-FDR Tolerance Foundation of my FDR Lodge 613 Knight of Pythias. Feel to to mention any deserving one that matter to you in the comments. Gotham members also enjoy an opportunity to promote their charitable causes tomorrow (and every Monday) morning on our Fredslist listserve as part of our MAD Mondays program.

So remember #GivingTuesday on your social media. And if you require further inspiration, I offer some music to set the mood.