Woodhaven, New York – Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar, representative of Assembly District 38, has partnered with the Zara Realty Charitable Foundation of Queens to donate 13 Chromebook laptops to the families and children who lost their homes in the six-alarm fire in Richmond Hill just before Christmas. 

The Assemblywoman led the effort to help the 50 victims of the fire who lost their homes over the holidays. Assemblywoman Rajkumar converted her office into a donation site, where donors quickly filled four rooms floor to ceiling with coats, clothes, food, and gift cards for the victims.

Among the donors was the Zara Realty Charitable Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Jamaica-based real estate company Zara Realty, and the George Subraj Family Foundation, which purchased the 13 laptops. In cooperation with the Assemblywoman, they will now donate them to the children of the affected families. With remote learning required during the pandemic, this donation will ensure they do not fall behind in their schoolwork. 

The Assemblywoman, in partnership with Zara, Community Board 9 Vice Chair Sherry Algredo, and P.S. 90 Principal Adrienne Ubertini, will distribute the Chromebooks and other supplies to those impacted on Friday, February 12, 2021 at her office at 83-91 Woodhaven Blvd, Woodhaven, New York at 1pm. 

Assemblywoman Rajkumar said: “COVID-19 must not interrupt the education of the children in South Queens. During these difficult times, I am committed to finding the resources the people of my district need and deserve.”

Tony Subraj, co-managing partner at Zara said: “When we saw this fire rip through our community, we knew we needed to step up and help those who were impacted as much as we could, including children who need to keep on top of their remote school work. Residents of these buildings are lucky to have a representative as dedicated and hard-working on their behalf as Assemblywoman Rajkumar. We were happy to work with her to ensure that these families have access to the help they need.”

Principal Ubertini expressed her joy and appreciation saying: “These laptops will be providing the children with something of their own, a tangible ability to connect with the world, watch videos, and obtain an education.”

Sherry Algredo of Richmond Hill, a longtime leader on education issues in South Queens and Vice Chair of Community Board 9, was key in coordinating the laptop donation efforts. 

District 38, a heavily immigrant-populated area that includes Richmond Hill and Ozone Park, has been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, with some of the highest rates in the city. The district has historically been overlooked and underserved, resulting in a lack of services. Assemblywoman Rajkumar, the first South Asian-American woman elected to government office in New York State, was elected on the platform of bringing more services to this high need area. The Assemblywoman has made ending the COVID-19 pandemic the top priority of her office. 

What: Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar and Zara Realty to donate laptops to children displaced by Richmond Hill fire

Where: 83-91 Woodhaven Blvd, Woodhaven, NY

When: February 12, 2021 at 1:00 pm