I truly hope that this message finds you and your family well. During these very difficult times, the overwhelming messaging from the media can be quite bleak. And in our homes and work places, it may feel that way also. The truth is that these times are unprecedented and we just don’t know what the next few days, weeks and months will look like in our area, our country or the world. We should put faith in our leaders and in ourselves to look through the immediate concerns and to the other side where we will see the prosperity and ingenuity of our country back in force, better than before.
While the next few weeks will undoubtedly be filled with uncertainly, what is certain is that when we emerge, the leaders in our community will be here to help build us all back up again. We will likely be operating our businesses and families in a ‘New Normal’ for the unforeseeable future. I encourage you to look for the positive messaging, embrace the ‘New Normal’, be flexible, be kind, help a neighbor, reassure your family, support local businesses and find new ways to be healthier than ever before.
I’m looking forward to being on the other side of this, to getting back to seeing the activity in our communities, airports, ball fields, schools, restaurants and offices. I’m looking forward to seeing the faces that make up our airport community, going to the events and golf outings and just supporting this amazing community that I hold so dear.
Be well, follow the guidelines issued by our state and federal leaders, hold your family tight and take care of yourself.
Regards,
Katie Bliss, Publisher
Message from Charles R. Everett, Jr., General Manager, JFK International Airport
I have been in the company of heroes these last several weeks, watching this proud and determined JFK community confront an unprecedented challenge. On behalf of the Port Authority of NY & NJ, I cannot thank you enough for the tireless work you have done to keep our great airport running so that we can play our central and critical role in helping the region cope with and eventually recover from the pandemic. Please keep yourselves, your loved ones and your colleagues as safe as possible. We will persevere.
Message from Al DePhillips, President, JFK Chamber of Commerce
On behalf of the members of the board of the JFK Chamber of Commerce, I extend wishes for the health and safety of each and everyone in the JFK community during this extremely unfamiliar and difficult time in the fight against COVID-19. The board and I especially want to thank all of our essential workers in the community who put their health and lives on the line for others. Our hearts go out to all who have been affected directly or indirectly in our families, businesses and the JFK community.
No one could have anticipated the impact that this health crisis has had and continues to have on us. As business and social gatherings remain on hold, staying connected and engaged with each other, through virtual technology and other means of social distancing, provides much-needed support and strength. The board and I remain hopeful for the good health of all and the return to business as usual. Together we will get through this.
Message from Bill Huisman On Behalf of QASDO, NJASDO, ADC, and LGA Kiwanis Club
Firstly, my team and I are thinking and praying for all our friends and colleagues in our aviation/airport community. Even the events and aftermath of 9-11 cannot compare to the personal and business impacts of our current public health pandemic. We pray that everyone stays safe, remains vigilant, and gets through this crisis.
In the meantime, like many of our colleagues, we are working from home and trying to do whatever we can to fulfill our mission and help the communities we serve. Our program managers, Dolores Hofman (QASDO) & Helene Gibbs (NJASDO) have been receiving vendor applications from companies that can possibly supply products & services that could be used directly to address the many issues resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic, and our doing what they can to connect these vendors with companies that have a need.
Additionally, ADC is working with the Port Authority Aviation Department to help communicate the importance of maintaining social distancing, sanitizing, and keeping personally safe while working at or traveling through the airports. As a member of LGA Kiwanis, I can share that the club is donating funds to Queens Feeds Hospitals, which connects local restaurants with local hospitals (Elmhurst Hospital, Mt. Sinai Queens, NY Presbyterian Weil Cornell) in order to feed our front-line hospital workers. Through North Beach Club at LGA, we are donating money to Cohen Children’s Hospital Northwell LIJ, for PPE and other important medical equipment.
We continue to look for other ways to help those impacted within our airport and neighborhood communities. Let’s keep vigilant, remain safe, and most of all, be the instruments of goodwill, brotherly love, and hope in these critical times.
Message from Rabbi Ari Korenblit, The International Synagogue at JFK
Never has the world experienced such an existential threat as we are currently enduring. It is indiscriminate, cruel, painful and paralyzing. Heartening, are the courageous first responders who wage this battle with no regard for their own life and limb, while employing unequalled sacrifice and fortitude.
Let us pray, that we who labor lovingly in God’s garden, and tend to His flock in our different capacities at our airports — the veritable gateways to the world — and elsewhere, should see the immediate banishment of this Angel of Death from our midst. May Almighty God send immediate spiritual and physical healing to all mankind He created in His image, and may we all quickly recover our sense of agency and power to continually make this world a better place.
These days, while we religiously and rigorously wash our hands, let us pay heed to Whose hands we are all in.
God Bless us all!
Message from Reverend Romeo Dabee, Christ for the World Chapel JFK
Greetings family,
I pray that you and your family at work and at home are well in this time of dis-ease.
You are not alone…no, I am not going to sing the Michael Jackson hit of yesteryear – I am hoping though that these words bring some comfort and respite as we engage in conquering COVID-19.
You are not alone because we are in this fight together. You are not alone because this disease does not discriminate. You are not alone because God is with us – Emmanuel.
You are not alone because “God is in the midst of the City, it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns.” (Psalm 46:5)
My friends, the words, “You are in my thoughts and prayer” have a different ring to it in these times, but I am convinced that the least we can do, is offer a prayer (besides washing our hands and social distancing of course).
Message from Bob Kennedy, Chairman of CALMM, Council of Airline Maintenance Managers
Greetings Friends and Colleagues: We are all struggling at this time with the recent events and want to let everyone know that as a community we stand together. I always have had great mentors in life and industry and I like to embody them and ask what would they do with given situations and problems. Their answers were never exactly clear but they usually showed a pathway to solutions. Our industry has been hit hard as well as our communities and families but there is a path we all will take and we should help each other on that road. All the best to everyone and CALMM pledges its support to the airport community.
Message from Nancy Vargas, Vice President, JFK Airport Rotary Club
We at the JFK Rotary Club have remained close to each other by checking in on one another either via text, calls or social media. We have also decided to keep our monthly dinner and lunch meetings in order to stay connected and in light of the world events, we have gone virtual so that we can hear and see each other which brings normalcy to our lives. JFK Rotary remains committed to our members and our community. We remain vigilant to the needs of our community and are ready to assist in the call of need. We will continue to discuss while maintaining the mandate to stay home, how we can assist our first responders.
Our goal is to continue our community service and we ask our beloved community to let us know if there are any requests, ideas or needs that you wish to share with us. Wishing you and your families to remain Safe, Healthy, Positive and Optimistic during these most challenging times ahead. Together we are stronger!
Message from Dayna Harap, President of the JFK Air Cargo Association
While our members and our Board of Directors are extremely busy doing the much-needed work of moving freight during these difficult times, it is important to stay in touch with one another making sure everyone is safe and well.
The JFK Air Cargo Association is here for the community and praying for everyone’s health and well-being. We are looking forward to seeing everyone in the future!
