He first served his country, now a Briarwood World War II veteran is serving his community by trying to make it the best place possible. NY1's Tamani Wooley filed the following report.
Since 1980, it was always Seymour Schwartz' goal to put Briarwood on the map.
“You ask a lot of people about Briarwood and they'll say "Briarwood who? Where?,” said Schwartz.
The community of about 30,000 people is often lumped in with neighboring Jamaica or Kew Gardens.
But when Schwartz made Briarwood his home after returning from serving in WWII, he wanted to lend a hand in making it better.
The now 89-year-old joined the Briarwood Community Association in 1980 and became president in 1995.
“Wherever there are residents, there are issues. In spite of calling 3-1-1, which does not always satisfy them, they turn to the Briarwood Association. They know where to go, we get things done,” Schwartz added.
And over the last 35 years, Schwartz has been able to get a lot done.
He's most proud of getting this pedestrian walk-way built on Queens Boulevard, repainting the lines on the basketball court at Manton Park, and most recently, renaming the "Van Wyck Boulevard" subway station to the "Briarwood" subway station.
“This right here, we have to thank Sey for. He talked to the legislators and finally it was done. We wouldn't be able to do anything without him. He is the life of the Briarwood Community Association,” said Elke Maerz, the Vice President and Treasurer of the Briarwood Community Association.
With his leadership, the association has also been able to secure a post office and library in the neighborhood.
Schwartz says though it's been hard work, he's made so many friends along the way.
“It's the people who count and in many ways, we share a history together, a history of the community and there is a relationship there not easily found otherwise,” said Schwartz.