Ray Romano Joins Queens Chamber To Honor Essential Workers

FOREST HILLS, QUEENS — Forest Hills native and Emmy Award-winning actor and comedian Ray Romano joined the Queens Chamber of Commerce for a video tribute to the borough's essential workers and the small businesses that employ many of them.

"We cheer for our new heroes — our small business owners, the backbone of our economy — as they head into the frontlines, wearing masks and gloves to protect us from an invisible enemy so we can still feed our families," Romano says in the video.

Businesses featured in the tribute include Bourbon Street and Martha's Bakery in Bayside, Great Bear Auto in Flushing and the Patel Brothers Supermarket in Jackson Heights.

Entitled "Queens Rising," the Queens Chamber of Commerce's video tribute coincides with the launch of 10 new initiatives to rebuild the local economy and support workers.

The new benefits include a day care program, an "Adopt a Small Business" sponsorship program for corporations, and a mentorship program that will connect Queens businesses to "seasoned business professionals" across the state, according to a news release.

“Now it’s time to get back to work, and we are excited to announce these new initiatives to help our local businesses rebuild our economy stronger than ever before,” Thomas J. Grech, president and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce, said in a statement.

As Romano put it, "Let's do what we all do best, what I know Queens does the best, and that's support each other."