The American Albanian Open Hand Association (AAOHA) held a celebration on May 14 on the occasion of the nonprofit’s 8th anniversary to honor the various volunteers who give up their free time to support the association’s ongoing work in the community. AAOHA president and founder, Aleksander Nilaj, invited all volunteers who had worked with him for the last 8 years to the event, held at 2134 Barnes Avenue in the Pelham Parkway section of The Bronx, where over 20 volunteers were recognized and honored on the night.
(L to R) HYSNI LIL RECEIVES a citation from Assemblywomen Nathalia Fernandez (A.D. 80), Aleksander Nilaj, president and founder of the Albanian American Open Hand Association, receives a proclamation from State Sen. Alessandra Biaggi, as well as a citation from Fernandez, and vice president of the association, Tush Musaj, also receives a citation from Fernandez for his dedication and service during the iassociation’s 8th anniversary celebration held at 2134 Barnes Avenue in the Pelham Parkway section of The Bronx on May 14, 2022. Photos by Miriam Quiñones(L to R) ASSEMBLYWOMAN NATHALIA FERNANDEZ (A.D. 80) is surprised with a birthday cake by president and founder of the Albanian American Open Hand Association, Aleksander Nilaj, during the association’s 8th anniversary celebration held at 2134 Barnes Avenue in The Pelham Parkway section of The Bronx on May 14, 2022. Johana Guerrero, director of strategy and operations at the Office of State Sen. Alessandra Biaggi (S.D. 34) was also present on the night to present some citations to various honorees. Photo by Miriam QuiñonesMIRIAM QUIÑONES RECEIVES a certificate of appreciation from the Albanian American Open Hand Association for her commitment, dedication and service to the association over the past 8 years, during the association’s 8th anniversary celebration held at 2134 Barnes Avenue in the Pelham Parkway section of The Bronx on May 14, 2022. Photo by Kastriot MuratajANDREA SIEGEL RECEIVES a citation from State Sen. Alessandra Biaggi (S.D. 34) for her volunteer work with Albanian American Open Hand Association during the association’s 8th anniversary celebration held at 2134 Barnes Avenue in the Pelham Parkway section of The Bronx on May 14, 2022. Photo by Miriam QuiñonesDILA KOCAJ RECEIVES a citation from Assemblywomen Nathalia Fernandez (A.D. 80) for her volunteer work with the Albanian American Open Hand Association during the association’s 8th anniversary celebration held at 2134 Barnes Avenue in the Pelham Parkway section of The Bronx on May 14, 2022. She is photographed with the founder and president of the association, Aleksander Nilaj. Photo by Miriam Quiñones
Nilaj told Norwood News, “We’ve been able to give many, many boxes of food outside, especially during the pandemic. We started giving meals. We’ve given one million boxes of meals, and we’ve given 227,000 boxes of produce also during pandemic time.” He added, “Plus, we have, every week, once a week, a food pantry or a vegetable and deli kind of food that’s been going on for many years, with all these boxes and during [the] pandemic, which has been around 10,000 people each week.”
