When the holidays come, our neighbors to the north have no better friends than the Coler Auxiliary, Roosevelt Islanders stepping up again, this year.
“The Coler Auxiliary funds annual gifts for all the residents,” says long time member Judith Berdy. “I am chair of the Auxiliary, and we have a group of dedicated volunteers.”

“We order health and beauty products for everyone, fanny packs, gloves, hats for men and totes for women.”
“The Auxiliary is a 501 (c) 3 that provides the needs that Coler cannot fund. We pay for entertainments, trips, special meals and holiday events.
“The last two years have been challenging with many restrictions and the residents being unable to leave the campus. The Auxiliary funds every resident and has served Coler since 1952.”
Like to get involved: The Coler Auxiliary needs more volunteers. Email Judy at jbird134@aol.com.
More from the Roosevelt Island Daily
- Roosevelt Island Weekly Recap: Community Life, Local News, and Everyday ConnectionsOur Roosevelt Island weekly recap covers local news, community events, and the threads of daily life connecting neighbors on and off the island.
- Queens News Highlights and Roosevelt Island Community ConnectionsExplore the week’s Queens news highlights and Roosevelt Island community connections, from public safety to housing, historic places, and local events.
- How Queens News Shapes Life on Roosevelt Island This WeekExplore how Queens news shapes life on Roosevelt Island, from major fire responses to local court cases and housing initiatives, reflecting the rhythms and routines of our shared city life.
- Queens Community Updates: Transit Projects, Public Safety, and Neighborhood EffortsQueens community updates including transit projects, public safety developments, and neighborhood efforts, with special relevance for Roosevelt Island residents.
- How Roosevelt Island Responds to Change and Challenge Across the East RiverExplore how Roosevelt Island responds to change and challenge across the East River, reflecting on community adaptation, safety, transit, civic life, and neighborhood rhythms.
“I Can Ask”
Chair Fay Christian opened the Operations Advisory Committee on February 12th, reading out member names from a prepared sheet that omitted Melissa Wade. It didn’t feel intentional, but it struck me as odd precisely because it came from something prepared. Lydia Tang gently corrected her, noting that Wade was, in fact, a member of the committee. Wade met the moment with grace, or perhaps she simply wasn’t bothered by it.










