SMA Equities Spreads Holiday Cheer to LES Community and Beyond
December 23, 2016
NEW YORK – In the spirit of the Christmas and Chanukah holiday seasons, SMA Equities LLC is spreading joy by donating funds, services, and goods to various groups serving the communities on the Lower East Side of New York City. A real estate investment firm with properties nationwide, including a sizeable mixed-use portfolio in lower Manhattan, SMA Equities started off the season with a monetary contribution to the Bowery Mission that was enough to provide over 500 hot, nutritious meals to the community.
As a business member of the 7th Precinct Community Affairs Bureau, the firm recently participated in the organization’s holiday gift drive, donating funds for more than 100 children. Moreover, staff members of SMA Equities pitched in and helped staff at the Toy Drive event; spending joyous and rewarding hours celebrating with neighborhood children and their families.
Other community programs in which SMA Equities has participated in have included assisting local artists by offering complimentary commercial space to enable them to open and operate pop-up galleries. These galleries have helped artists showcase and sell their work. In addition, the principals of SMA Equities are active participants in the area’s celebrated Jewish community and have provided free space on numerous occasions for Chabad classes and a variety of events.
Points out Omer Zwickel, Director of Asset Management & Construction for SMA Equities, “We have a long-standing relationship with our neighbors on the historic Lower East Side. Our ultimate goal is for them to regard us as integral participants in the neighborhood that we love so much and want to see continually thrive.”
Planned charitable programs for 2017 include participating in local food pantries, working with senior housing groups, and continuing various pop-up art gallery programs when retail spaces are available in SMA Equities-owned properties.
Adds Samy Mahfar, “We made a commitment this past year to expand our outreach in areas where we have multiple properties. By actively helping all members of our communities, it enables everyone to come together in positive ways and bolster positive impact for themselves and their neighbors.”
Mr. Mahfar and his family are also long-standing member of the Long Island Association. They are additionally active supporters of such charitable organizations as United Jewish Appeal (UJA), AIPC, the Macabee Foundation, and the Iranian American Jewish Federation of New York.