By Elena Coppola
Amid a world in turmoil, the Queens Village Republican Club kept the spirit of America’s 250th birthday alive by creating a joyful haven where more than 300 guests came together at our annual Family Fun Day BBQ in a powerful display of unity, hope, and love of country.
The event opened with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a special appearance by the Victory Legend Children’s Choir. Under the leadership of Hsia-ti Lin Savitt, the choir delivered heartfelt performances of the National Anthem and “Happy Birthday USA.”
Patriotism and American tradition were at the heart of every activity, bringing the nation’s history and spirit of liberty to life. From beginning to end, a continuous flow of burgers and hot dogs sizzled on the grill, filling the air with the aroma of an all-American barbecue and satisfying hearty appetites. Thanks to everyone who generously donated kosher food, all guests were able to share in the feast.
Adding to the festivities, Club President Phil Orenstein appeared as the iconic Uncle Sam—a fitting role for someone whose unwavering patriotism and devotion to America truly make him a modern-day Uncle Sam. Elena Coppola embodied the mission of Moms for Liberty as Lady Liberty, while Arlene Schlesinger appeared in Native American attire and Leah portrayed a colonial woman. Guests delighted in posing for photographs with the historical figures, creating lasting memories of the celebration.
Members of the Queens County chapter of Moms for Liberty were honored to participate in this year’s event, inviting families to journey through American history inside the Liberty Tent. Dressed in colonial costumes, children sat at an antique desk and used quill pens to sign replicas of the Declaration of Independence. They also learned about the historic Liberty Tree and its role as a gathering place for patriots during the fight for independence.
Moms for Liberty Co-Chair Taisha Parrott delivered a moving reading of the Declaration of Independence, reminding everyone of the price our Founding Fathers paid for liberty and of our responsibility to preserve it for future generations.
The highlight of the event was seeing the joy and excitement on the children’s faces as they watched the magic show and drone demonstrations; enjoyed arts and crafts, balloon twisting, face painting, temporary tattoos, and bubble-making; and played corn hole and ring toss. They laughed and cheered while competing in potato sack races, tug-of-war, and a hula-hoop contest while wearing complimentary America 250 T-shirts made possible by generous donations from DeZant Signs and Oasis Café.
There was something for guests of every age to enjoy, from learning about fire safety with the FDNY and meeting recruiters from the United States Secret Service, to engaging with event sponsors from Project Civica and Lenox Hill Hospital. Guests even had the opportunity to join Ester for an energetic Zumba session.
DJ Jimmy James brought the celebration of this momentous occasion to a powerful and heartfelt close. Everyone joined hands in a circle and sang Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the U.S.A.” It was the perfect ending to an unforgettable day—one that left everyone with a renewed sense of pride in and love for our country.
The Queens Village Republican Club extends its heartfelt thanks to all the sponsors whose generosity made this celebration possible and to the dedicated volunteers who gave their time, energy, and talents to make the day such an extraordinary success, and to all of the guests who attended.
