frederic baumgarten
Manhattan, New York
How is your Hero working to make the world a better place?
Fred is a courageous, principled, genuine humanitarian. He purchased and then custom renovated portions of the "National Register of Historic Places" Grundy Industrial Complex and the time would literally have stood still if the 75-year-old [at that time] structure built in 1911 that dominated the Borough skyline as the centerpiece of the burgeoning revival effort in Bristol Borough hadn't received a $20,000 facelift, courtesy of the Bristol businessman, Fred Baumgarten. He recently donated the $1,004 restitution payment for the graffiti vandalism of his Grundy Commons commercial-industrial complex on Canal Street to the Grundy Foundation for the Community Learning Center at St. James Parish Hall. Fred is passionately involved as a Trustee in the Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care & Rehabilitation in New Hyde Park. Their discharge rate is one of the highest of any geriatric facility in the country, implementing a new concept in a health care prototype institution for the aged, proving that it would not be the "last stop" for its patients. He does so many things well, in so many different spheres, and yet remains so humble, with a special talent for humor and friendship. Industrial leadership, historic preservation with retention of history and authenticity, civic pride and revitalization surges through the Borough with Fred's personal intervention. His vast expanse of the Grundy Commons is primed and ready to provide additional new sources of office, warehouse and distribution space for this former industrial town.
How has your Hero impacted your life and inspired you?
Leaders lead by example. Fred has given most generously for the improvement of the town and is dedicated to protecting the irreplaceable. Two of his three children, a son and a daughter are serving in the IDF in Israel. He stands to his word and is generous with everyone. Fred is highly respected by everyone as a principled gentleman whose faith and patriotism is inspirational and whose love of America, his heritage and his town is unquestioned.