R. Brewer United Democratic Club, one of the oldest and most active political organizations, celebrated their 56th Anniversary with a Gala Dinner Dance at Antuns. Honorable Archie Spigner, also known as the Dean of Queens politics and Honorable Dora Young have shared the leadership of the club for the past 37 years.
The club is involved in civic and community issues affected the Southeast Queens community and also promotes and supports Democratic candidates. Senator Charles Schumer, Congressman Charlie Rangel, NYC Comptroller John Liu, and Brooklyn Councilman Bill D’Blasio came to Queens to congratulate the honorees.
This year, as always, the honorees are some of the most deserving and hardworking members of the community. The Community Service Award honorees were Jamaican born Dr. Howard Bradnock, Director of Gastroenterology for Mary Immaculate Hospital in Jamaica and St. John’s Queens Hospital in Elmhurst before their closing and is currently at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset and Franklin Hospital in Valley Stream.
Another deserving honoree was Rev. Victor Hall, Sr., pastor of Calvary Baptist Church for over 20 years, whose focus has been programs that aid the community, from senior housing, youth ministries, prison ministries and a food pantry that feeds hundreds each week.
Former Commanding Officer of the 113th Precinct, Kristel Johnson was honored for her hard work in the community. She was recently reassigned to the Housing Bureau. Honoree William McDonald has devoted most of his life to community service, serving as President of Queens High School Presidents Council, Chairman and Parlimentarian of the Chancellors Parent Advisory Council, Jamaica Branch NAACP Education Chair, Executive board member of United Black Men of Queens to name just a few of the positions he has held since retiring from the NYC Dept. of Corrections.
Honoree Mattie Oliver, a retired Certified Dietitian Nutritionist is Past President of the National Association of University Women (Queens Branch), has also served as First Vice President, 2nd .P, Journal Chairperson and on many committees of the Queens Chapter of the Links and is also a 25 year member of the Queens Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and has served as First V.P. Scholarship Chair, Recording Secretary, Nominating Chairperson, Custodian, Hostess, Chairperson and Treasurer. Honoree Lonza Elgin Henderson has worked tirelessly for his church, Majority Baptist Church, serving as president of the Men’s Guild, chairman and assistant chairman of the Deacon Board, Missionary Circle, Male Choir and he regularly visits the sick and shut in of his church family.
The 2011 scholarship awardees were Dana Harris, a senior at Francis Lewis High School, Jasmine Multani, a senior at Townsend Harris High School at Queens College and Amanda Smith, a senior at St. Francis Prep High School.
