NYCFC joins CM Thomas-Henry, AM Hooks to distribute almost 200 mattresses across Queens

NYCFC collaborated with club partner Casper Sleep to provide 195 mattresses to a number of community organizations across Queens, also teaming up with club partner Rugs.com to provide 500 rugs to public schools throughout Queens.

The club enlisted the support of Neighborhood Housing Services of Queens (NHS) for Giveback Day, with the community non-profit distributing the 195 mattresses to a network of community organizations throughout the day on Monday.

Monday’s Giveback Day took place nine months before NYCFC moves into its new home in Etihad Park, in the heart of Thomas-Henry’s Council District.

Thomas-Henry praised NYCFC for “showing up” for the local community and listening to the needs of local residents.

“When we talk about partnership, this right here is what we mean,” Thomas-Henry said at a press conference at NHS headquarters in Elmhurst Monday evening. “Working alongside the community to address the needs of our community. I know this is not an easy time for many of our neighbors. Families are stretching every dollar just to keep food on the table and a roof over their heads.” 

She said the donation of almost 200 mattresses will allow almost 200 families across Queens to worry about one less expense.

“That is money that can go towards groceries, Con Edison bills, school supplies, medicine, and next month’s rent,” she said. 

Hooks, meanwhile, said a mattress is often a purchase that is “pushed back” year after year by families who are struggling to make ends meet. She said the Giveback Day donation will help ensure that families and individuals across Queens can get a good night’s sleep without sacrificing other essentials.

“Rent comes first, groceries come first. The kids’ needs come first, so people make do with what they have. What a significant, significant donation this will be,” Hooks said. 

Jennifer O’Sullivan, chief operating officer of NYCFC, said it is “especially meaningful” for the club to host a Giveback Day in Council District 21 nine months before the club moves into its new home in Willets Point.

“Moving to Queens means much more to us than having a stadium where we play our matches. It’s much more than selling tickets,” O’Sullivan. “It means putting down roots in our home community and becoming a part of the fabric of Willets Point, of Flushing, of Corona.” 

She said the donation of 500 rugs to schools across Queens, including PS 211Q, helps to make classrooms warmer and more welcoming for students. Mattresses, meanwhile, can create a more comfortable home environment, O’Sullivan added.

NYCFC partnered with Thomas-Henry, Hooks, NHS of Queens, the Department of Education and other community organizations such as ElmCor and Las Doñas to ensure that the mattresses and rugs reached the families, individuals and schools who need them most.

Yoselin Genao Estrella, executive director of NHS of Queens, said a comfortable place to sleep can make an enormous difference to a family facing economic hardship.

“For a family facing hardship, a good night’s rest can mean waking up with renewed hope and strength to face another day,” Genao Estrella said. “We are deeply grateful to welcome these partners to La Casita and share in this act of care for our community. It takes a village—and together, we are giving our neighbors a place to rest and a chance to dream.”

Torrie Leppla, vice president of marketing at Casper, said the company was proud to participate in the initiative, noting that the company was founded in New York City.

“When we first started the partnership with NYCFC, we saw a real opportunity to do more together for our hometown,” Leppla said. 

Meanwhile, Steve Karasek, executive vice president of Rugs.com, said the company is keen to create an environment that will help students feel “a little bit better” in their classrooms.

“Every child deserves a classroom that feels warm, welcoming, and ready for learning,” Karasek said. “We’re proud to help make these spaces a little more comfortable for the students and teachers who use them every day.”

City in the Community, the non-profit arm of NYCFC, also distributed 250 NYCFC tickets to local youth and families as part of Giveback Day.