Addabbo & Rajkumar Host Free Paper Shredding Event and Household Goods Despite Heavy Rain

Queens, NY (September 24, 2023) – Despite periods of heavy rain, a paper shredding event in Forest Park on Sunday to help individuals dispose of their personal documents safely, as well as provide residents the opportunity to donate lightly used clothes and household items to benefit veterans, went off without a hitch.  

Addabbo, his office team and a staff member from Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar’s office, stood with the NYC Department of Sanitation at their paper shredding truck, while representatives from the United War Veterans Council collected household goods donations. Constituents were able to drive up to each of the trucks, and remain in their cars while directing the staffers who unloaded the items, thereby allowing people to stay out of the rain as much as possible.

Addabbo also stood at the entrance of the Forest Park Bandshell parking lot, holding an umbrella and directing cars, assisted by the members of GCOP (Glendale Civilian Observation Patrol). 

“We are here to serve the people despite the inclement weather and to make the recycling and donation drop-offs as smooth and comfortable as possible,” Addabbo said. “We have minimized the time constituents would be exposed to any rain by providing this drive-thru process.  People depend on these events to be able to shred personal documents that might contain confidential information like Social Security numbers and give away items they no longer need to veterans who will certainly appreciate them. I would like to thank Assemblywoman Rajkumar, the NYC Department of Sanitation, the United War Veterans Council, the Parks Department and GCOP for coming together to make this recycling event a success.”

“Our Paper Shredding event was a spectacular success once again. One in three people are victims of identity theft at some point in their lives, costing $4 billion each year. Senator Addabbo and I help our constituents protect themselves from these identity thieves with our annual paper shredding event, which keeps sensitive information out of the hands of bad actors. Shredded paper also boosts our environment when it is recycled. Every ton of paper recycled saves 17 trees, 4,000 kilowatts of energy, 7,000 gallons of water, and 3 cubic yards of landfill waste. Thank you to all my many neighbors who turned out for this outstanding event.”

The DSNY shredded a total of 2.5 tons of paper and the UWVC collected 738 pounds of cloth and 800 pounds of household items.

Senator Addabbo will be partnering with Councilman Bob Holden and Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar, along with the Lower East Side Ecology Center, at the same location next week to host an e-waste recycling event - Sunday, October 1, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Below is video footage from the event.

Senator Addabbo braves downpour rain to direct cars at the event.

https://youtu.be/BGzwKjfjbfw?si=bgenKjz9gZyK1Vr5

More highlights from the event can viewed at the link below.

https://youtu.be/OM3ttGLzrik?si=vKFK6uVJ5HULSjI4