JFKIAT, the operator of Terminal 4 at John F. Kennedy International Airport, recently presented $100,000 in donations to Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral of New York, Boys & Girls Club of Metro Queens, the CUNY Aviation Institute at York College, and the Jamaica Center Business Improvement District to support each organization’s mission of strengthening the Queens community.
“As our community continues to recover from the pandemic, it is of the utmost importance that we support organizations that serve the Greater Jamaica area,” said Roel Huinink, President and CEO of JFKIAT. “As a Queens-based business, we hope to make a meaningful impact through our 4GOOD program, and we are grateful to each of our partners for working with us to make these contributions possible. We are very proud to support these organizations that provide direct support to local businesses and residents in our community.”
“The Allen Community Non-Profit Programs of The Greater Allen A.M.E Cathedral of New York greatly appreciate the generosity of the JFKIAT 4GOOD organization,” said Donna Atmore-Dolly, Executive Director of the Allen Community Non-Profit Programs, one of the largest outreach ministries in New York City through its soup kitchen and feeding program, which distributes more than 105,000 meals and pantry bags weekly. “With this gracious donation, we are able to lighten the load from our food pantry expenses, assist our women’s resource center in improving the facility, and help our senior centers with the development of their virtual programs. Thank you to CEO, Roel Huinink, HR Director Vernon Taylor, Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, Rice Financial, and the JFKIAT staff for their role in issuing this award.”
“For over five years, JFKIAT has been an essential partner in helping Boys & Girls Club of Metro Queens achieve the mission of doing whatever it takes ensure all young people reach their full potential and are put on the path to success,” said David Kupecky, Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Queens, which has served youth and families in Queens for more than 60 years. “When our community was hard hit by the pandemic, JFKIAT stepped up to provide our Club with much needed aid which allowed us to provide vital resources for those who need us most. We are thankful for all they do and look forward for more years of working together to provide these young people with opportunities and the support they need.”
“York College is so thankful to JFKIAT and its 4GOOD giving arm for the very thoughtful donation of $25,000 for scholarships and small business breakfast seminars for the business community,” said Dr. Berenecea Johnson Eanes, president of York College, established in 2003 by a grant from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the Aviation institute promotes high-quality education and research for the aviation industry. “It is an honor to be asked to serve in this manner as JFKIAT seeks to support the local community in the wake of a deadly pandemic; that devastated the small business community and our students.”
“We’re honored that the JFKIAT team selected our organization for a grant. With this funding, we will be able to continue our important working helping businesses recover from an extremely challenging period,” said Jennifer Furioli, Executive Director of Jamaica Center Business Improvement Development, which manages and beautifies downtown Jamaica’s commercial district as a thriving business hub and welcoming destination. “Notably, we look forward to continuing to provide direct assistance and outreach to our hundreds of businesses in downtown Jamaica, arranging more “cleaning and greening days” to create a pleasant and safe shopping environment, monitoring and advocating for quality of life enhancements in downtown Jamaica and marketing and promoting local business and our cultural gems through a variety of events and promotions. As a small nonprofit, this funding will make all the difference in the world to us, and we applaud JFKIAT for supporting the local nonprofits in its community.”
The donations are part of JFKIAT’s corporate giving program, 4GOOD, which serves local institutions through philanthropic and sustainable actions. JFKIAT and its partners have raised $230,000 to aid the Queens community as it continues to grapple with the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund will provide one-time donations to selected nonprofit organizations that provide community support, local business support, and education, which are among the key pillars of the 4GOOD program. The nonprofit organizations were selected through an application process, in which they specified programs and initiatives geared to helping those most impacted by the pandemic.
Aimed at promoting educational, social, and professional success, the 4GOOD program consists of two components: Community (Corporate Philanthropy) and Sustainability (Environment). Corporate resources include financial contributions, charitable giving, employee volunteering and community outreach. Since JFKIAT launched 4GOOD in 2016, the company has distributed more than $150,000 annually in funds for charities, organized events at Terminal 4, and worked closely with several organizations in Queens.
