WJOA Fireworks, Trivia and Other Events!

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See below for the WJOA late June announcements. Also, today is Election Day for the NY Primary. VOTE! Featured in today's newsletter: Fireworks in the Park: 6/27 Trivia Night: 7/10 Author Reading: 9/15 Save the Dates Schmooze News Fireworks in Astoria Park: A pre-4th of July Celebration Thursday, June 27, 7:30pm Astoria Park Join WJOA in viewing fireworks in Astoria Park for a pre-4th of July celebration. We will meet in the park. Specific location to be determined. Bring your own chair or blanket to sit on and your own dinner, or a snack to share. Feel free to arrive throughout the evening. Starting at 7:30pm there will be a special musical performance on the Great Lawn at Astoria Park by the Swingtime Band leading up to the grand display itself. Expect the fireworks to take place at/or beyond sunset, about 9pm. RSVP to Brian, so that we can plan how much lawn area to save. Here is the Facebook event. RSVP to Brian Trivia Night Wednesday, July 10, 8pm–10pm Heart of Gold (37-14 31st Ave, Astoria)   Please RSVP to Brian so he can save seats. The WJOA Trivia team will return try our trivia prowess at Heart of Gold. Join us on Wednesday, July 10 at 8pm. We hope to see you there! Here is the Facebook event. RSVP to Brian Author Reading – Laura Samotin Sunday, September 15, 3pm LIC   Come hear author Laura Samotin read from and discuss her new book, The Sins on Their Bones. There will be an opportunity to purchase a signed copy of the book! Snacks will be provided. RSVP to Jonah by Friday, 9/13. Here is the Facebook event. Set in a Jewish folklore-inspired reimagining of 19th century Eastern Europe, this queer dark fantasy debut pits two estranged husbands and a daring spymaster on opposite sides of a civil war. Perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo, C.S. Pacat, and Katherine Arden. For more info, see the publisher's webpage here. RSVP to Jonah Save the Dates Shabbat: Friday, July 26 Special Happy Hour: Sunday, August 4 Shabbat: Friday, August 23 Schmooze News Central 20s & 30s March with Central at NYC Pride! Sunday, June 30 11am, meeting place TBA Special 20s & 30s Central Pride swag will be provided LEARN MORE & REGISTER   Donate to Aid in the Israel-Gaza Crisis  We are heartbroken and devastated by the Israel/Gaza war. You can contribute to GlobalGiving's Israel-Palestine Crisis Relief Fund, which provides emergency relief and long-term support to people in need.   Donate to Aid in the Ukraine Crisis In February 2023, WJOA member Jonah Schrogin volunteered at JCC Krakow, where he packed and sorted food for Ukrainian refugees. If you'd like to contribute to JCC Krakow's Ukraine relief program, here is their Ukraine Appeal. JCC Krakow is a 501(c)(3) organization, so any donations made are tax-deductible. Please write “Ukraine donation via Jonah Schrogin, int vol” in the comment box.    Jonah has another fundraiser, this one benefitting GlobalGiving's Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund. This supports more than 80 non-profit organizations on the ground in Ukraine and in the surrounding areas providing humanitarian aid, such as shelter, medical care, food, and clean water. Contribute here, and you can get more information by emailing Jonah, including seeing a recorded presentation.   Donate to Aid Wildfire Survivors in Hawaii Contribute to GlobalGiving's Hawaii Wildfire Relief Fund here. The worst wildfires in Hawaii's history have caused more than 90 deaths, left dozens injured, and reduced towns to ash. Hundreds of people are missing. Strong winds from Hurricane Dora fueled the flames in Maui and the Big Island. Your donation to the Hawaii Wildfire Relief Fund will support wildfire relief and recovery efforts in affected communities. Have an event you'd like to organize or share? As always, please don't hesitate to send them our way! —The WJOA Team