We’ve had an amazing year here on Myrtle Avenue, and we have a lot of people to thank for that. Whether it’s keeping the street clean, supporting local businesses, hosting community events, installing new public art, or connecting local teens with jobs – it really does take a village to pull all of our programs. Throughout November, we will be giving thanks to just a few of our community members who served as wonderful partners this year and contributed to making Myrtle Avenue a great place to be.
Check back here throughout the month to see our growing list of appreciation, which we’ll add to every day. Or follow us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter each day to see our daily #myrtlethanks.
Know an outstanding Myrtle Avenue community member you think deserves some gratitude? Send us a message to nominate someone.
01/30: Myrtle Avenue’s Key Food
Our friends at Myrtle Avenue’s Key Food answered the call when we asked for their help to order turkeys for our monthly food pantry in November, just before Thanksgiving. Now in our 2nd year of partnership, together we’ve provided a Thanksgiving turkey to hundreds of our neighbors. We are grateful for a community of businesses that is as committed to serving this neighborhood as we are. #myrtlethanks
02/30: The Hort
It’s a dirty business, but someone has to plant flowers, pull weeds, and lay down fresh mulch so that Myrtle Avenue’s tree pits and planters look pretty. Luckily, The Hort steps in to do just that. This past year, we’ve worked with crews from The Horticultural Society of New York to undertake all of that work that helps keep flowers, seasonal plantings, and trees looking good along Myrtle Avenue.
Vitality Health & Wellness Bar was one of 12 local businesses who served as a mentor & employer for students in the 2018 class of the Myrtle Avenue Youth Entrepreneur & Mentorship Program.
03/30: Local Summer Youth Employers
Our summer teen program wouldn’t work if we didn’t have local businesses to provide work assignments & mentor the teens in our annual summer job + entrepreneur program. THANK YOU to the 75 local businesses who have participated in the program since 2007.
04/30: Hopalong Andrew
Bringing smiles to little ones across the neighborhood with his cowboy tunes and a warm “Howdy, pardner!”, we’re thankful for talented neighbors like Hopalong Andrew! Hopalong and many others helped us kick off our first ever kids music series at our new plaza, and we can’t wait to have him back next year. #myrtlethanks
05/30: Ingersoll, Farragut, and Whitman Resident Associations
This #MyrtleThanks goes out to our local Resident Associations at Ingersoll, Whitman and Farragut Houses. Thanks for being so passionate about the work you do and bringing resources to residents, by taking a lead role in the Fort Greene & Farragut Fresh Pantry.
06/30: Tanda Francis and “Adorn Me“
We love having public art on Myrtle. We give a #myrtlethanks today to artist Tanda Francis for creating the incredibly beautiful & powerful piece “Adorn Me,” on view now at Myrtle & Washington Pk in Fort Greene Park. Read about the piece at Tanda Francis, “Adorn Me”.
07/30: Courtney at Brown Bike Girl
We know cool people. Cool people like Courtney of The Brown Bike Girl who are passionate about creating healthier communities. Courtney planned a series of fun, free bike adventures departing from our Myrtle Citibike stations this summer, and if you participated you know how cool she is. We appreciate you, Courtney! #myrtlethanks
08/30: Kevin Shirley at Apple Bank
Kevin has served the community as Apple Bank branch manager for years. He courageously took on an ever bigger role in the neighborhood this year – as the BID’s second ever Board Chair, replacing retiring Chair Dr. Schutte of Pratt. We’re thankful to work with leaders willing to step up on behalf of the Myrtle Avenue community, and welcome Kevin to the BID helm! #myrtlethanks
09/30: Danny, Neighborhood UPS Driver
Danny of UPS – who’s been delivering in Clinton Hill since 1997! – always goes the extra step (literally) & with a smile in a job that’s anything by easy. That’s why we’re serving him & all of our local postal carriers a big #myrtlethanks today!
10/30: Ingersoll Gardeners
It’s been an honor to work alongside the Ingersoll Gardeners for almost ten years. Thrilled to see them get the recognition they deserve this year as leaders in this community: at Groundswells annual gala and by the local Community Heroes project. The gardeners are truly heroes in so many ways, and we’re thankful for all they give to #myrtleavenue.
1940’s, Sailors at Brooklyn Navy Yard.
11/30: Veterans
To all of our local veterans, we give a hearty #MyrtleThanks. Thank you for the sacrifices you and your families have made in the name of service to our country.
12/30: Move on Myrtle Performers
29 Plaza events this summer = A BIG #Myrtlethanks to the 25 musicians, 4 DJs, 11 kids performers, 8 yoga teachers, 1 personal trainer that made June 21st to September 21st in the Plaza a huge success. We couldn’t have done it without you!
88th Precinct runners at the New York Marathon, 2018.
13/30: NYPD 88th Precinct
A big #myrtlethanks to our local law enforcement for supporting our work via organizing community meetings, helping us obtain permits, co-sponsoring bike registration events, joining our local NSTAT team and more!
Students enjoying their time at Da Ciro.
14/30: V-ELMS
Special #MyrtleThanks today to local org V-ELMS who connects local middle schoolers with adult mentors & unique learning experiences in the neighborhood, like this fun day at Da Ciro on #myrtleave. To learn more or to sign-up as a mentor, visit V-ELMS.
14/30: Streetplus
A huge #myrtlethanks to our street team #Streetplus who keep #myrtleave in tip-top shape by removing graffiti, watering our plants & trees, sweeping up litter and emptying trash bins EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. Thank you! 📷: Street Ambassador, Harouna
14/30: Joseph M.
Loves family, friends, fresh food, anything tech, Pokémon Go, podcasts, writing and searching out deals — and Myrtle Avenue. He’s our friend – and boy are we lucky. A HUGE #myrtlethanks to Joseph who has been our right hand in everything from Plaza and general events + helping on streetscapes programs. Thank YOU, Joseph!
17/30: Turkey Donors
Look what you did! Because of neighbors like you, we have given out 400 turkeys in our community this season, at the Fresh Pantry and to a local shelter. We’re thankful for neighbors like you, and all our supporting partners…#myrtlethanks!
18/30: Misha TyutTyunik
We’re thankful for color. And specifically, we’re thankful to artist @mdot_season for bringing lots of it to #myrtleave this past summer with his playful #fortgreene mural at Myrtle & Carlton. #myrtlethanks #30daysofthanks
19/30: Myrtle Village Green
We continue to be impressed by the active and diverse community at Myrtle Village Green, a local community garden that is not only a garden, but also a classroom, gathering place, and a true center for community. And that’s why we send them a neighborly #myrtlethanks!
20/30: Benefit Kitchen
When we met our friends at Benefit Kitchen, we knew we were going to make magic as partners. Tech + mission + heart are the ingredients they use to produce a tremendous positive impact on people’s lives, and we are thankful that Benefit Kitchen trusted us to bring this innovative tool to our community this year. Founder Melanie is up for a Downtown Brooklyn tech award this year, and we’re rooting for her! Vote for Benefit Kitchen here:
#myrtlethanks
21/30: Recess Art
We are grateful to be part of a community that is home to artists, arts institutions, and a creative spirit. A wonderful addition to our neighborhood is Recess (hyperlink), an organization that reimagines space for art, how people engage with artistic processes, and art’s role in conversations about justice. Thanks for choosing Clinton Hill as your new home, Recess #myrtlethanks
22/30: Our Followers
We wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving! And we also say THANKS to you, #myrtleave’s followers, fans, neighbors, champions, and more. It’s because of you and your engagement in your community that make #myrtleave a truly one-of-a-kind place. #myrtlethanks
23/30: Intergenerational Community Arts Council
Check out this awesome block party on #MyrtleAve planned by the Intergenerational Community Arts Council with artist-in-residence, Najee Omar. #Myrtlethanks for bringing arts and cultural events to the Avenue this year, including our biggest #BlackArtstory kick-off event to date.
24/30: Myrtle Avenue Small Businesses
On #SmallBizSaturday we send a #myrtlethanks to each merchant behind the 150 locally-owned businesses on #myrtleave in #fortgreene & #clintonhill. Thru their hard work, they help keep our neighborhood unique, home-grown & diverse. THANK YOU!
25/30: NSTAT
#Myrtlethanks to our NSTAT stakeholders which consists of Ingersoll residents, local org partners and NYC agencies. Together, you keep the needs of Ingersoll residents at the forefront + work hand-in-hand to hear and try to address them.
26/30: Tillary Women’s Shelter Staff
The Tillary Women’s Shelter has a staff of dedicated, caring people who are committed to supporting the 200 residents there. We were honored to begin working with them this year, helping to raise $10K last month for essential everyday items like bras, socks and toiletries. We’re inspired by the staff at Tillary and all our local shelters, and reminded of the power and importance of helping others.
27/30: Our Community Schools and Educators
How sweet is this note written by a @TrilokSchool student about everything they are thankful for?! With that in mind today’s #myrtlethanks goes out to all our community schools and educators for everything they do in and out of the classroom!
28/30: Crosswalk Petition Signers
#MyrtleThanks: To the 1,000+ petition signers, we say THANK YOU for helping to get @NYC_DOT to install a much-needed pedestrian crosswalk at Myrtle & Grand! Thanks to your support, DOT has scheduled a crosswalk to be installed there any day now!
29/30: Department of Sanitation
#MyrtleThanks to @nycsanitation for picking up trash, recyclables and those errant couches and pieces of furniture that would otherwise make Myrtle Avenue a cluttered mess. Thanks to your important work and tremendous efforts, our streets are clean and our community beautiful. You’re part of the foundation that makes our community great!
30/30: Community Heroes
We are lucky to have residents, artists, businesses and organizations that make our community such a wonderful place Our final #myrtlethanks goes to Community Heroes, the public art project that shines a light on the everyday heroes. Nominate a hero, click here:
And though we celebrate Thanksgiving once a year, we are still grateful and THANKFUL to everyone that helps make our community great, on a daily basis!
