Delta Air Lines, the Flushing Meadows Alliance and the office of Queens Borough President Donovan Richards joined forces to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a community service event at Flushing Meadows Park. One of many events organized by Delta across the country on MLK Day, this occasion celebrated Dr. King's "Beloved Community" philosophy — a concept rooted in the idea that it is possible to create "a society based on economic and social justice where all people can share in the wealth of this earth."    

Flushing Meadows is the largest park in Queens, sitting directly across from LaGuardia Airport. The gathering on Monday, Jan. 15 supported the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation's long-term environmental improvement efforts in Queens. 

“Dr. King taught us to ‘never forget that those resources came from people in the back doing little jobs in a big way.’ And when we all do the ‘little jobs’ in our own neighborhood — like cleaning up the Flushing Bay Promenade with our friends from Delta Air Lines and NYC Parks — we help to create that beloved community he envisioned,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr.  “Thank you to the Delta team and everyone who joined us on Monday’s cleanup to help make our community that much more beloved and honor Dr. King’s legacy with service.” 

“Delta is committed to being a strong partner to the communities where our employees live, work and serve,” said Patricia Ornst, Delta’s Managing Director of State and Local Government Affairs for the Northeast. “We appreciate our Queens partners for serving with us to honor Dr. King’s legacy and are proud to champion future efforts to preserve public green space near LGA and throughout Queens.”  

In addition to the airline’s longtime support for Flushing Meadows Park, Delta also partners with the Central Park Conservancy, Snug Harbor Cultural Center, New York Restoration Project and the Botanical Garden of Staten Island to ensure that New York’s urban green spaces are maintained and accessible to all. The airline is proud to provide funding and support to over 30 non-profit organizations throughout the state of New York with a focus on Equity, Education, Entire Wellness and the Environment.  

DELTA IN NEW YORK 

Home to Delta’s LGA and JFK hubs, New York is home to over 6,000 Delta people who play an essential role in connecting millions to the state each year. Delta is committed to giving back to the communities it serves in a variety of ways – from employee volunteer opportunities to organization support through the Delta Foundation.  In 2023, Delta Air Lines and The Delta Air Lines Foundation contributed $60 million to support communities around the globe through our community partnerships, and our people raised over $8 million for a variety of causes that are near and dear to their hearts through fundraising efforts.