Tender Hearts Crusades

Another year, another Jump and Ball sponsored by Senator Malcolm A. Smith and LL Cool J, the 8^th Annual Jump and Ball to be exact. And just like the year prior the fun was contagious, taking over everyone with wild abandon at Daniel O’Connell Park in Hollis, Queens. Children and adults alike took part in the sports and recreation provided by those sponsors that gave and attended the event, much like Tender Hearts Crusades did. This year’s Jump and Ball, was full of special guests and we even had our own Executive Director chatting it up with Adam Richman of the Travel Channel’s “Man vs. Food.” 

The basketball tournament was hands down the highlight of the day, with children and teenagers displaying their talent to the supportive crowd surrounding the courts. Once again the tournaments, games, and fun that took place the weekends in August gave the youth of the Queens area something positive and constructive to do, as well as something they can be proud of.

Take a gander and some of the fun you might’ve missed below:

Special Thanks to Walgreens (the Hollis Branch) and Modells and Christian Lopez Community Ambassador for Brooklyn/Queens for contributing to this year's Jump & Ball: 

Lastly we would like to thank Senator Malcolm A. Smith's office and Tai White, his District Director for putting on this great event.

Tender Hearts Crusades would like to take the time out to congratulate the 60 Women of Distinction award recipients. Of those 60 nominees, we are proud to say that the Executive Director of Tender Hearts Crusades was the recipient of one of these awards. This honor of The Women of Distinction award was bestowed upon Tender Hearts Crusades Executive Director Victoria Thomas-Ramos on May 15, 2012 in Albany, New York. Our Executive Director was nominated by the local Hollis District 14 Senator, Malcolm Smith.

The history of the Women of Distinction award dates back for over a decade, beginning in 1998 the women of distinction award was funded by the New York State Senate. According the Senate’s website “this event showcases outstanding women living and working in New York State whose contributions have greatly enriched the quality of life in their communities and beyond. From the women’s suffrage movement 150 years ago to the present day, women have played a crucial role in New York State’s political, social and economic development. Today we recognize a select group of women who represent the qualities of leadership, compassion, and diligence. Let us celebrate their hard work and subsequent success individually, but also be mindful that today’s honor spotlights the groups in which they are involved and the causes for which they fight.”

For all our backbone’s hard work and diligence to the organization’s cause and her devotion to the community, this honor highlights the amazing efforts she attributes tirelessly every day. Congratulations!

Deep in the heart of New York –in Queens to be exact, on a warm summer morning Harmony Day began with quite a bang at Roy Wilkins Park on Wednesday, July 11, 2012. Harmony Day is the one day during the summer where various organizations unite solely for one cause and that is to unite the children of the Southern Queens and general Queens area. The South Queens Athletic league is to thank for this momentous event that takes place every summer.

Harmony Day allows children from all over the Queens area to come together and enjoy food, friends, fun, games, and prizes all the while being shown that there are alternatives to the “summer fun” that most kids find themselves attracted to. By coming together to experience a great and positive time, the children in attendance of this memorable event surely left with a sense of hope and on a positive note to do more with their summer. Tender Hearts Crusades was proud to have been a part of such an epic summer event, after all there is no better way to begin the summer with a barbeque, great people, and a bit of positive fun in the sun.

Take a look at some of the pictures from the event below: