Everything about the backpack is about hope..

We understand that it’s not going to cure homelessness;

we don’t pretend it’s going to cure homelessness.

But it does say to somebody, ‘Hey, you know what? We care.’

– Mr. Newman in 2020

At the end of the speaking a Cardinal lit in a tree (below) and sang his heart out.

Jayson Conner and Jeffrey Newman Gave Thousands of Backpacks to Those in Need -NYTimes

by Clay Risen

Thank you William, Giselle, and the entire group of ‘Backpacks for the Street’ volunteers.

M’Finda Gardeners and the entire Sara Roosevelt Park Community Coalition were honored to have this vigil to acknowledge and celebrate the lives of Jayson Conner and Jeffrey Newman.

Mourning for any and all who die while having no safe place to call home.

‘Uncle Kwok,’ 83

Anthony L. Manson, 49

Florecio Moran 39

Nazario A. Vazquez Villegas, 54 (not homeless, handyman working late)

A fifth man, David Hernandez, 55, was left in critical condition.

“Uncle Kwok. It’s Ms. Mui. I hope you remember me,” Ms. Mui said in Cantonese, through sobs. “I gave you the roast pork buns. I met you when I was a little girl.”

“I’ll never forget you,” she said.

NYTimes 

Victor, Bob, Jim

Eddie, Denard, Jamil

Gardening has been how Bob looks after the park and watches what’s going on. He and his team planted shrubs, flowers & trees. Many still blooming. In every spring, new ones get planted.

In regards to police interaction with the community, one officer stood out in Bob’s mind, it is Officer Jimmy Boyle. Boyle worked with Bob not only to keep the area safe, but he also talked to people and played with kids. People enjoyed his company and respected him. Officer Boyle retired in May of 2004 but passed away in May of 2019 from a 9/11 related cancer. Bob said officer Boyle was a great man. He led by example. Bob respects the way how Boyle bridged the police and community together.

Bob pointed out there’s something for everyone in the Garden. There’s a section for seniors, youth, a bocce court, and another for chess/board games. He said “I am more of a teacher than anything else. I enjoy teaching young people and seniors.”

Sitting at the Garden most of the times now, Bob tells me that a lot of his goals were achieved as he was showing photos. Not only he spearheaded a local civilian patrol of the park, he also participated in protests & rallies for solidarity. Yet, there still is more work to do. Certainly, he sees vast improvements as compared to the 70s & 80s. He would like to see more. Present-day, the Park coalition has a growing number of volunteers. Thanks to Bob’s efforts, many entities, NGOs and CB2 support the garden as well. Additionally, the children who Bob looked out for, now adults with their own children, often come visit and help out. With his arms open, Bob said “My family wants me relax and retire with them in Jersey but I tell them that I am relaxed here.”

His dedication, kindness, love for humanity, & guidance is simply overwhelming. There’s not enough accolades that one can give Bob for his contribution to the community. We thank you Bob Humber. ~This is what a hero looks like~

WAH in the Fifth

National Geographic Photo Winners

“If you find a luna moth on your porch tonight, you’re looking at an insect that can’t eat, drink, or bite. It has no mouth. The luna moth emerges from its cocoon and runs entirely on fat stored during its months as a caterpillar, feeding voraciously on hickory, walnut, sweet gum, and birch before sealing itself away. By the time it has wings, the eating chapter is over. It has somewhere between 7 and 10 days to use what’s left. In those days, the male uses enormous feathery antennae to detect a female’s pheromones from miles away. The female lays up to 200 eggs on the undersides of leaves, each one placed individually. Then both of them are done. Here’s one more thing that’s really interesting: those trailing hindwing tails aren’t decoration. Studies showed that spinning tails in flight scatter a bat’s echolocation signal, buying the moth critical seconds. If one lands near you this summer, take a moment to appreciate it. It’s in its final week.”

-from @giveashitnature on Twitter https://x.com/giveashitnature “I post practical ways to help wildlife & nature”

N95 Mask Distribution Centers below.

Thank you Mayor Mamdani and Assemblymember Grace Lee! (and Jane Barrer).

Please see below for specific Lower Manhattan distribution sites. ??

Lower Manhattan Mask Distribution Centers
• NYPD 5th Precinct – 19 Elizabeth Street
• NYPD 7th Precinct – 19 ½ Pitt Street
• Chatham Square Library – 33 East Broadway
• Seward Park Library – 192 East Broadway
• Mulberry Street Library – 10 Jersey Street
• World Trade Center – 285 Fulton Street
• Office of District Leader Justin Yu – 88 East Broadway
• UA3 – 384 Grand Street, Suite #1A
o KN95 masks available at UA3 on a first come, first serve basis
See map of all NYC locations Here

NYC HEAT EMERGENCY PLAN: Here.

Everything about the backpack is about hope..

We understand that it’s not going to cure homelessness;

we don’t pretend it’s going to cure homelessness.

But it does say to somebody, ‘Hey, you know what? We care.’

-Jeffrey Newman in 2020.

NYTimes Obituary quoted above by Clay Risen HERE

Non flammable candlelight vigil Sunday July 19th (2026) 1:30pm

Delancey between Forsyth and Chrystie, Sara Roosevelt Park

Thank you Partnerships for Parks, Catalyst, Ted Enoch and Sayde Wilson

(Scroll through the website to find the panel bios, responses, break-out table responses and photos)

Warmth, kindness, smarts and information: 33 Essex:  the big orange doors