Scott Stringer celebrates Polish heritage in Greenpoint

October 13, 2017 By John Alexander Brooklyn Daily Eagle

From left: Marzena Wojczulanis, Assemblymember Joseph Lentol, Comptroller Scott Stringer and Arthur Dybanowski. Photos courtesy of Andrew Kawinsky

Share this:

On Tuesday, Oct. 10, New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer hosted elected officials, community leaders and guests at the Polish Heritage Breakfast held at the Polish & Slavic Center at 177 Kent St. in Greenpoint.

According to Ari Kagan, community liaison for the Southern Brooklyn & NYC Russian-speaking community, Stringer’s staff, The Polish & Slavic Center (PSC), is a nonprofit social and cultural services organization that was founded in 1972. The organization primarily serves the Polish-American community. With more than 40,000 members, PSC is the largest Polish-American organization on the East Coast.

Presently the organization has two locations in Greenpoint, at 177 Kent St. and at 176 Java St. The center receives annual sponsorship funds from the city for programs that provide thousands of services to its members free of charge.

Additionally, PSC hosts a number of cultural and social events, provides Meals on Wheels for low-income seniors and offers scholarships for deserving students.

Bozena Kaminski, president and CEO of the Polish & Slavic Center, welcomed guests and introduced Stringer.

Stringer recognized several Polish-American community honorees at the breakfast, praising them as “prominent and caring leaders who help people throughout the community.”

He was joined by Assemblymember Joseph Lentol (D-North Brooklyn) and District 33 City Councilmember Stephen Levin (Greenpoint, Williamsburg, Brooklyn Heights, Downtown), as well as by Mary Odomirok, district representative for U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney, and Sabina Klimek, consulate general of the Republic of Poland in New York.

“The Polish-American community has achieved tremendous progress in New York City. As comptroller, I am proud to represent the largest Polish community in the world outside of Poland,” said Stringer.

“Polish New Yorkers made their mark in business and science, education and medicine, military and law enforcement, culture and arts. I celebrate and honor the success, talent, hard work and determination of this vibrant immigrant community.”

Stringer presented the Comptroller’s commendations to Marzena Wojczulanis, board chair Polonians, a charitable group organized to minister to the Polish community; and to Artur Dybanowski, president of the Pulaski Association of Business & Professional Men.

Kagan said, “About 100 attendees enjoyed the warm atmosphere, tasty Polish cuisine and great music, as well as wonderful company of Polish-Americans from every age, income and profession.”