Release: Avella Gives $100,000 to Bayside Historical Society

(BAYSIDE, NY) Today, State Senator Tony Avella was joined by Paul DiBenedetto, President of the Bayside Historical Society, to present the organization with a $100,000 grant.

Senator Avella obtained the money for the Bayside Historical Society from this year’s state budget and will help the group cover operating costs. The funding is part of more than $1.3 million Senator Avella secured for programs and organizations through his district and across the borough of Queens. The historical society was in desperate need of additional funding in order to continue operating, and the money provided by Senator Avella will allow the organization to continue serving the community.

Founded in 1964, the Bayside Historical Society aims to preserve and share the history of the community. The organization operates out of the Castle at Fort Totten, one of Bayside’s most well-known historical sites. In 2014, the Bayside Historical Society celebrated its 50th Anniversary of serving the community, but funding needs continue to grow in order to allow the organization to operate. 

“Bayside is a neighborhood with a rich history that deserves to be shared not only with the people who live here, but the people who visit as well. For those who grew up here, the Bayside Historical Society is an important factor in understanding where you come from and the people that once made up the community that you call home. This neighborhood has flourished through centuries of progress and has changed for the better along the way. Our ability to continue sharing the past with future generations is dependent on groups, like the Bayside Historical Society, who remain dedicated to ensuring that history is not lost. I am thrilled to have obtained this money for an organization that is vital to the past, present and future of our community,” said Senator Avella.

“We are very happy to receive these funds, as it’s been a long time since we’ve gotten discretionary funding. When you build something, you have to maintain it, and this money is what is needed to maintain our organization, buy supplies and pay our small staff. This is very important to us and we are happy to have received this,” said Paul DiBenedetto, President of the Bayside Historical Society.