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Samuel Weidenhofer

Patriotic Kenny Foundation

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Khloe

<div>Our good friends, the Iida family, have lost their home of 30 years due to the 43-09 apartment building fire in Sunnyside, Queens on 12/20/23. They lived on the fifth floor.
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<div>The mother, Sakiko, was in Japan visiting her family due to her father's recent passing when she found out about the fire. Fortunately, her husband Shirou and son Mitsuki are safe. This has been an extremely stressful time for her and her family, and it is difficult to imagine what they must be feeling, especially during this time of year. 
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<div>Sakiko taught at the Sunnyside Ballet Studio for around 5 years and everyone who has come across her should know about her uplifting and always-positive energy. They are all extremely hardworking and humble, so we'd like to offer them this extra support when they need it most. 
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<div>I know that they will be beyond grateful for any amount of donation. Thank you!
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Support for Iida Family affected by Sunnyside fire

<div>Hello, I am Yasko Takeno-Williams, director of Sunnyside Ballet Studio. An extremely valuable member of the SBS faculty, Melissa Orlando, had her apartment significantly impacted by a fire in Sunnyside, Queens, on Wednesday, December 20, 2023.
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<div>Ms. Melissa teaches pre-ballet, primary ballet, and the graded levels at SBS. She has been one of SBS's founding members since 2009.
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<div>I've organized this fundraiser to ask for any help you can provide to support the recovery of her home at this festive time of year. Any amount is appreciated, and we will provide you with more updates as they come.
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<div>Thank you,
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<div>— Yasko
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Support for Ms. Melissa's Apartment Fire Recovery

<div>Hi, my name is Grace and I'm fundraising for my mom, Joanne; Naya and Lanna's Lola (grandma) Jojo. After a routine mammogram in October, they found a mass of tissue that looked abnormal. They did a biopsy and it was found to be Stage 0 breast cancer, which I didn't even know was a thing. I'm glad it was found so early but the tissue could still potentially become cancerous. They want to take it out and some healthy tissue around it, so she is scheduled for a lumpectomy with radar localization this Wednesday, July 26th. They will analyze the removed tissue and will tell us if it is invasive. If yes, then she will have to undergo chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
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<div>As you can imagine with all of the testing and doctor's appointments, the medical bills start to pile up. She thought that this was something that she was going to be able to handle on her own but insurance doesn't cover everything. We want to do anything we can to help relieve that burden.
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<div>My mother is the most generous person I know, generous with her time, her money, and her love. She is always there to support anyone when they need help. This is our time to help support her in her time of need. When I say that any amount helps, I truly mean it. Even if you cannot donate, simply sharing this to help spread the word is contributing. You can also donate through Venmo, PayPal, Zelle, check, etc. @Grace-Andrews-1
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<div>Together, we can raise the funds needed to support my mom's medical journey. I'll keep everyone updated on her progress as we find out more info. Thank you for lending an ear, opening your heart, and for being the hero in my mom's story. #LoveYouLolaJojo
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Help Jojo Fight Breast Cancer

<div>Those who know Larissa know that she has recently experienced two major relapses of her Multiple Myeloma, a cancer of the plasma cells in bone. She is scheduled to have a major treatment known as <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/02/health/leukemia-car-t-immunotherapy.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Car T-Cell therapy</a> at the end of June/beginning of July. While the treatment will have her hospitalized for weeks, it has the best chance of keeping her cancer-free for a long time. But she needs help for what will, in the end, be several months of recovery and little to no income.
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<div>At the beginning of June 2023, Larissa’s oncologists ordered her to the emergency room, and she has since been hospitalized at Mount Sinai in NYC and had four days of emergency chemotherapy in hopes of slowing the spread of the cancer. This relapse first started coming on in April 2023, when lesions were experienced on her sternum, ribs and the femur bone of her leg.
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<div>If you read up on Multiple Myeloma, it sounds almost promising as it is a survivable cancer in many circumstances, but in its wake it can leave a lot of pain and debility from the breakdown and fracturing of bones ravaged by this disease. At this moment, Larissa is dealing with just that—a lot of pain and debility as the affected ribs are making it hard for her to breathe along with the large mass protruding on her sternum and the very real need to be cautious with walking, as the risk for fracture is substantially higher in affected bones.
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<div>Many of the loving community of family, friends and colleagues supported Larissa’s Stem Cell Transplant in 2019. While remission was hoped to last at least five years, Larissa only achieved true remission for 2 years after that treatment. We were hopeful after she quickly found remission again after a change of treatment, but then the second relapse came a year later in January 2022. Then a third and more aggressive relapse occurred in July 2022 that included radiation in all of Fall 2022. This relapse was particularly hard as lesions started in her right arm then spread to both arms and her scapula with the cancer encompassing all of her upper right humerus, making that right arm non-functioning for months.
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<div>(Caption: Larissa looking stylish for radiation therapy on Halloween Day 2022)
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<div>On top of radiation and infusions, she went through grueling therapy sessions to try and gain some function of her right arm back. While her function is still very limited, the damage the cancer has done is permanent without further surgery as an option in the future.
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<div>(Caption: LVJ celebrates movement of their left arm after a Zoom workout with students.)
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<div>After various chemo cocktails and a brief time in remission in the winter of 2023, we found out the cancer is back again. Between the last two relapses, the cancer has become much more aggressive and wide-spreading.
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<div>Larissa is now having chemotherapy to get her Myeloma low enough for the Car T-Cell therapy, which only becomes available for patients after 4 failed attempts at other treatments. <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/02/health/leukemia-car-t-immunotherapy.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Car T-Cell Therapy</a> is newly approved by the FDA and is the future of treatment for many cancers. It involves genetically engineering one’s own T-cells in a lab, then reintroducing them to the body so that the patient can fight the disease on their own without chemo and regular treatment.
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<div>While all of this sounds so daunting, Larissa has still thrived impeccably. She taught at Princeton University in Fall 2021 as part of the Caroline Hearst Fellowship; was an adjunct professor at The New School c/o Movement Research in Spring 2022; taught at Bennington College in Fall of 2022; and most recently received a Fellowship from AXIS Dance Company’s Choreo-Lab 2023, where she was supposed to travel to California the last week of May but unfortunately needed hospitalization instead. This doesn’t even include her private Pilates and yoga clients, Smart Body Fitness clients and other dance residencies and commissions.
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<div>(Caption: LVJ Performance Co members left to right: Larissa Velez-Jackson, Mary Read and Angie Pittman perform the Star Pû Method at The Chocolate Factory Theater in LIC, NYC, June 2022)
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<div>Larissa has juggled going to the hospital for infusions and radiation while working, making art and even still showing up as a loving Auntie to her nephew and niece Cielo and Luna, as well as being a loving wife, daughter, sister and friend. As she has continued to show up in the lives of others‚ mask on and distanced—to preserve her life—our greatest hope is that her community can show up for her.
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<div>Larissa continues to live life as only she knows how as a teacher and an artist. When the ground seems unsteady and difficult to manage, she slows down, sinks her feet in and shares her vulnerability and artistic process for the world to see. As someone who has made their whole life movement, it is difficult for all who love her to see her have this journey. So as Car T approaches this summer—which also means harsh rounds of chemo, losing her immune system again and needing to be quarantined—also comes the glimmer of hope that this can mean real remission and a better quality of life.
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<div>I am asking for us, as her community, to show up for her in whatever way feels right to you. This could be in the form of sending positive vibes, prayer, sending meals, giving therapeutic sessions, mentorship, well wishes and/or financial support. These next months mean Larissa will not be able to work at all, and Jon will miss out on weeks of work to be her caregiver with part of her journey including a hospital stay and weeks close to the hospital to complete her infusion therapy.
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<div>We will continue to provide updates on her Car T journey and look forward to a time of real remission. Thank you for taking the time to read and support Larissa.
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<div>Love,
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<div>Stephanie (sister) and Hilary (best friend)
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Help Larissa Heal Multiple Myeloma: Car T

<p>(UPDATE 08.13.21) Thank you to everyone who has given so generously to this fundraiser!!! This is a devastating loss for our community and for our businesses, but once again we find ourselves overwhelmed with gratitude for this beautiful community and their support of the workers who have been displaced.<br /><br />We are working closely with the New York City Department of Small Business Services' Emergency Response unit on small business recovery. We have a long road ahead to see the necessary repairs made to the damaged site and reopening of the affected businesses, but they will have our support and guidance along the way. We are also working with the small businesses to determine the exact number and identity of employees who lost their income with this fire, so we can begin planning distribution of the emergency funds. 100% of the proceeds from this fundraiser will be distributed to displaced employees. <br /><br />We are also working on compiling a list of open job opportunities in the area for workers who desire assistance with job placement.<br /><br />As of 3 pm this afternoon, following the inspiring response to this crisis, and in the interest of ensuring displaced workers are supported in the weeks ahead, we raised our fundraising goal to $50,000. Thank you to everyone who has liked, shared, and contributed to get us to where we are now!<br /><br />If you wish to make a donation by check rather than through Go Fund Me, send your check made out to "Sunnyside Shines Fire Relief Fund"to PO Box 4477, Sunnyside, NY 11104; we will provide you with a receipt for tax services. We are a 501(c)3 organization and your donation is 100% tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. If you have any other inquiries regarding this fundraiser, please email us at info at sunnysideshines dot org.<br /><br />08.12.21<br />This morning, a four alarm fire tore through a block at 44th street and Queens Boulevard. At this time we know that several businesses have been damaged or disrupted and will continue to update this fundraiser as developments become clear. Just as we did following the 2018 devastating fire In Sunnyside, we are jumping into action to raise relief funds for workers displaced but this fire. We appreciate your support as our businesses struggle with this new loss after the last grinding 18 months of hardship for our entire community.
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Sunnyside Fire Relief for Small Businesses

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<p>I'm a fellow Sunnyside, Queens resident, starting this fundraiser to help our local florist, Hana-Ya. 
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<p>Hana-Ya has been serving the Sunnyside neighborhood for almost a year. She has brought so much joy to the community with her beautiful and very affordable floral arrangements; a service like no other. <br /><br />Unfortunately, the owner of her store, from whom she rents the space, has been harassing her for quite some time now. He has recently demanded that she pay an exorbitant amount of money  upfront as "facility charge," aside from rent money, which Hana-Ya always delivers on time. In addition to other issues, the store owner recently locked Hana-Ya out of her store, resulting in a day's sales loss. <br /><br />The landlord has dared Hana-Ya to press legal charges if she wants, but unfortunately, the route to legal charges comes with a lot of expense. The only option for Hana-Ya  is to deliver the "facility charge”. <br /><br />Hana-Ya is doing her best by putting everything towards this requested amount. As part of this community, we can help repay Hana-Ya's kindness and phenomenal service by helping contribute  during this challenging time. Let’s help her reach the goal of raising $5000. 
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<p>If you know Hana-Ya, you have experienced a service, where she goes above and beyond for her customers. She is  genuinely invested in her customer’s needs and sees you more than just a customer. Besides being a local favorite, she’s a doting mother to two daughters and an amazing human being. To everyone, that has ever crossed paths with Hana-Ya or received joy from any of the flowers by Hana-Ya, please help show your support. No amount is too small. And if you can't donate any money, please let the store owner (located at the corner of 47th Street and Queens Blvd-on the north side and right next to Little Friends Pre-School) know that you are not happy with their treatment of Hana-Ya. <br /><br />Hana-Ya has recently announced that she is closing her store and taking this time to be with her family. She plans to return in the spring to continue sharing her love for flowers with her customers.<br /><br /> I am humbly requesting Sunnyside's residents and anybody reading this, to come together and show solidarity towards one of our favorite local businesses.<br /><br />Please help save our local business! Please help Hana-Ya!<br /><br />Thank you. 
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Let’s help Hana-ya!

<strong>SAVE OUR SCHOOL! #SmallBusinessRelief 
Dear Friends,<br /><br />LICSB needs your help. We are proud of our mission to provide our students with classical ballet training while instilling in them a lifelong love of dance. We use the rigors, focus and discipline of ballet training to support our students in all their pursuits, artistic, academic and beyond.  Financial difficulties directly resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic are threatening our studios. We need immediate  assistance so that we can continue to share the joys and benefits of ballet with our Queens, NY students. <br /><br /><strong>WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!</strong><br /><br />Stay at Home orders have forced us to temporarily close our studios and we are struggling to prevent that closure from becoming permanent. With the loss of income but continuing expenses of our spring semester, we are seeking funds to pay our rent until a safe and healthy reopening of our studios is possible. Based on available health and safety information, we believe a September reopening is most likely. In the meantime, we need your help to pay our rent so that we have studios to return to in the fall.<br /><br /><img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/48080560_1589506077495735_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" alt="48080560_1589506077495735_r.jpeg" /><br /><strong>OUR COMMUNITY<br /><br /></strong>In addition to our own classes, LICSB also provides space for many independent choreographers and dance companies to rehearse and develop new works. We want our studios to remain open to support not only our students and faculty, but the greater NYC dance community. We are proud of the artists who have created works in our space, and hope to be able to welcome them into our studios for many years to come.<br /><br /><img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/48080560_1589508181272659_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" alt="48080560_1589508181272659_r.jpeg" /><br /><strong>RENT IS DUE!</strong><br /><br />LICSB has applied for all COVID-19 related aid, downsized, made necessary layoffs, and still cannot cover rent for the coming months, when we have no foreseeable income. Can you help us bridge the gap until our studios can be active again?<br /><br /><strong>THANK YOU!<br /><br /></strong>Thank you for your support, thank you for sharing this post, thank you for trusting us with your children's ballet education, and most of all thank you for believing in the future of LICSB!<br /><br /><img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/48080560_1589508707113909_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" alt="48080560_1589508707113909_r.jpeg" /></strong>

LICSB SOS - Save Our School!

This page is to help Alison and Rebecca with funeral and living expenses after the sudden death of their beloved Martin.<br />As everyone knows Martin O Reilly was the first to put his hand in his pocket for anyone so let's all do the same for his wife and child.

Honoring  Martin O'Reilly