East Elmhurst, NY — State Senator Jose Peralta awarded Jorge Muñoz with the New York State Senate Liberty Medal during a ceremony that took place last night at the St. Mark’s AME Church in Jackson Heights. Muñoz is the founder of An Angel in Queens Foundation, and he has been delivering free home-cooked meals to unemployed and homeless people in Queens for over a decade. Additionally, during last night’s celebration, another 12 community leaders were also honored by Senator Peralta.
“Jorge and his family have been handing free meals to day laborers and homeless New Yorkers beneath the 7 train in Jackson Heights for many years. People like Jorge are very hard to come by. I experienced first-hand the altruistic work he does every night of the year by distributing home-cooked meals to many people in need. He began his mission on a 2004 summer night by bringing food to a laborer who was hungry. The following night he fed eight New Yorkers, and since then, volunteers, his family and him have been distributing free dinners to more than 120 hungry people every single night of the year,” said Senator Peralta.
“It is an honor to award Jorge for all of his philanthropic efforts with the state distinction. He is a real angel, a true-life superhero under the elevated tracks of the 7 train. He is an inspiration to all. Lots of people are able to eat a hot meal every night thanks to this Angel of Queens,” he added. “I would also like to congratulate his fellow honorees, community and civic leaders who day after day do a great job to maintain the quality of lives of our communities.”
“It is truly an honor to be recognized by Senator Peralta. He is a person who fights for immigrants and hard-working families. I deliver food every night to dozens of people in need, but Senator Peralta reaches more people through his work as a legislator. To receive this prestigious medal from him, it is wonderful,” said during the Friday night ceremony.
Jorge Muñoz and his group of volunteers distribute the free home-cooked meals to day laborers from his truck seven nights a week since the 2004 summer. He was awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal by President Barack Obama, was named of the CNN ‘Heroes’ in 2009, and was presented with the Order of Congress in the Degree of Knight by the Senate of Colombia.
The Liberty Medal is the highest civilian honors that an individual can receive by the New York State Senate. It is presented to New Yorkers for exceptional humanitarian actions. “Clearly, this is a much-deserved award for Jorge, as we recognize his amazing achievements by helping others out of the goodness of his heart,” said Senator Peralta.
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