NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ—Hundreds of community members came out to the dead-end block of Sandford Street next to the headquarters of the Puerto Rican Action Board (PRAB) to celebrate the organization’s 40th birthday.

Food and dessert vendors sold hot and cold dishes, while live musicians serenaded the crowd on stage.  Nearby, a man offerred himself as a victim in the event’s dunk tank.  But by far the longest line was for free face-painting.

Representatives from the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Department, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital’s Wellness Center, and of course, PRAB were on hand giving away information and trinkets to community members.

PRAB’s offerings included applications to apply for a free home weatherization services, as well as the state’s Home Energy Assistance program, which helps low-income households pay for heating costs.

The Governor’s Office rolled up nearly three hours late to the party, giving away unnecessarily oversized plastic bags that included only a pen, a rubber wristband, and a .5 oz. container of hand santizer.  Each item including the bag itself was labeled Center for Hispanic Policy Research & Development.

Editor at New Brunswick Today | 732-993-9697 | editor@newbrunswicktoday.com | Website

Charlie is the founder and editor of New Brunswick Today, and the winner of the Awbrey Award for Community-Oriented Local Journalism. He is a proud Rutgers University journalism graduate, a community organizer, and a former independent candidate for mayor of New Brunswick.

Charlie is the founder and editor of New Brunswick Today, and the winner of the Awbrey Award for Community-Oriented Local Journalism. He is a proud Rutgers University journalism graduate, a community organizer, and a former independent candidate for mayor of New Brunswick.