During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Zara Realty delivered tens of thousands medical masks directly to tenants’ apartments and provided instructions on proper use and social distancing. Staff sanitized lobbies and elevators to protect residents. [Queens Gazette article](https://www.qgazette.com/articles/zara-realty-delivers-masks-to-tenants/)
Zara Realty and associated foundations’ charitable activities (inception– 2025)
Zara Realty and its affiliated nonprofits – the Zara Charitable Foundation (ZCF), George Subraj Family Foundation (GSFF), and Jay & Sylvia Sobhraj Foundation (JSSF) – have embedded philanthropy into their business model. The company’s giving spans resident-oriented programs that directly support the people who live in its buildings and broad community initiatives that improve health, education, and quality of life in New York, Guyana, and beyond. Each entry below includes a brief description and a working link to the official announcement or news report used for verification.
Resident-Focused Initiatives
Mask Distribution to Tenants
Free COVID-19 Testing
Zara Realty partnered with local health providers to bring free COVID-19 testing directly to its Hollis buildings, making it convenient for tenants to get tested without having to travel outside their neighborhood. By hosting these on-site testing events, the company not only prioritized the health and safety of its residents but also helped increase access to critical public health resources in the community during the pandemic.
Tenant Appreciation Days
Zara Realty regularly hosted tenant appreciation days that brought the community together with hot food, face painting, games, and gifts. These events went beyond simple gestures, providing residents with an opportunity to socialize, celebrate, and feel genuinely valued, demonstrating the company’s ongoing commitment to fostering a friendly, supportive, and engaging living environment. [Zara Realty news post](https://zararealty.com/news/)
Annual Back-to-School Giveaways
Zara Realty’s annual back-to-school giveaways provide thousands of backpacks and supplies to children of its tenants and neighboring schools. In 2018, for example, the company distributed thousands of backpacks loaded with school supplies at a Jamaica, Queens event that was also open to tenants; state Assemblyman David Weprin attended and praised the company’s community engagement. Zara has given tens of thousands of backpacks filled with supplies to its residents to date.
Grocery Gift Card Distribution
At the height of the pandemic, Zara Realty distributed grocery gift cards to its tenants, helping to alleviate the burden of holiday food costs during a particularly challenging time. This initiative reflected the company’s dedication to supporting residents’ well-being and ensuring that families could celebrate the season with dignity and comfort despite the hardships caused by the pandemic. [Social media post](https://www.instagram.com/zararealty/)
Annual Turkey Giveaways
Each Thanksgiving, the Zara Charitable Foundation and Zara Realty deliver thousands of turkeys directly to residents’ doors or host a big party and gives free turkeys to all residents, ensuring tenants can enjoy a holiday meal. This tradition continues each year.
Resident Halloween Parties
Zara Realty hosts annual Halloween party events for residents across its properties. The events include themed decorations, activities for children, treats, and giveaways, providing a fun and engaging experience for the families who call Zara communities home.
Holiday Toy Deliveries
Zara Realty staff personally wraps and delivers toys to residents during the holiday season. This initiative is part of the company’s ongoing efforts to spread joy and show appreciation to families within its communities, ensuring that every child experiences the excitement and warmth of the holidays.
Laptop Donations to Residents
Zara Realty provided laptops to residents as part of its ongoing commitment to supporting education and digital access within its communities. The initiative helps families and students stay connected, access online learning resources, and develop essential technological skills for school and work.
Resident Events at The 88
Zara Realty’s flagship building, The 88, regularly offers a variety of resident-focused programs, including fitness classes, holiday parties, and family movie nights. These events create opportunities for residents to connect, stay active, and enjoy quality time with their families, reinforcing The 88 as a vibrant and welcoming community where tenants feel engaged and valued. [Social media posts (https://www.instagram.com/the88apartments/)
Community-Focused Initiatives
Kidney Transplant Program
GSFF supported the first successful kidney transplant in Guyana, launching the country’s transplant program. Since then, GSFF has funded hundreds of kidney transplants and provided follow-up care in partnership with surgeons from New York. [Foundation history](https://subrajfoundation.org/)
Eye-Care Outreach
GSFF has completed hundreds of corneal transplants, organized free eye clinics, and distributed roughly 500,000 pairs of glasses. Clinics in remote regions like Moruca allow residents to receive eye exams without expensive travel. [GSFF eye-clinic program](https://subrajfoundation.org/eye-care)
Pediatric Heart Surgeries
The George Subraj Family Foundation (GSFF) has played a crucial role in supporting pediatric healthcare in Guyana by financing life-saving heart surgeries for children and providing hands-on training for local surgeons. These efforts not only address urgent medical needs but also help build long-term surgical capacity in the region, ensuring that more children can receive expert care close to home. [GSFF medical missions](https://subrajfoundation.org/medical)
SEVAK Volunteer Health Program
The SEVAK program empowers volunteers to bring essential healthcare services to rural communities in Guyana by training them to conduct basic health screenings and provide health education. Through this initiative, residents gain access to vital preventive care and information, helping to improve overall community health while building local capacity for ongoing wellness support. [SEVAK program](https://subrajfoundation.org/sevak)
Donation to Northwell Health and Georgetown Public Hospital
In April 2025, GSFF donated US$1 million to Northwell Health’s Center for Global Health and another G$209 million (≈US$1 million) to establish a cardiac research institute at Georgetown Public Hospital. [Donation announcement](https://northwell.edu/news)
Blood Drives in New York
The Subraj family sponsors regular blood drives in New York, encouraging community members to donate at events held at the Zara Realty headquarters and local temples. George Subraj described blood donation as a noble expression of humanity. [Guyana Times article](https://guyanatimesgy.com/)
Computer Centers in Guyana and New York
JSSF and GSFF have built hundreds of computer centers across Guyana and New York, offering free classes in computer literacy, coding, and digital safety to more than 100,000 learners. [Sobhraj Foundation overview](https://sobhrajfoundation.org/)
Technology Support for the Guyana Police Force
JSSF has donated hundreds of computers, printers and tablets, installed networking and CCTV systems and created a cybercrime training center for the Guyana Police Force. Brooklyn Downtown Star article.
Richmond Hill High School Computer Lab & Scholarships
Zara Realty supported Richmond Hill High School by funding the creation of a computer lab and providing scholarships to students. This initiative expanded access to technology and educational resources, helping equip local youth with tools for academic and career success.
Cybercrime Training Center
JSSF donated thousands of computers and tablets and established a cybercrime center to teach digital forensics and online investigations. [Brooklyn Downtown Star article](https://brooklyndowntownstar.com/)
Free Tutoring Programs
Free tutoring programs organized and sponsored by Zara Realty and its affiliated foundations help students prepare for specialized high school and college entrance exams. These programs have resulted in approximately US $2 million in scholarships awarded to participating students, providing life-changing educational opportunities and supporting long-term academic achievement.[CityBiz report](https://www.citybiz.co/)
University of Guyana Psychology Program
JSSF created the first psychology degree program at the University of Guyana and constructed the Jay & Sylvia Sobhraj Center for Behavioral Sciences & Research. [University announcement](https://uog.edu.gy/)
Library Construction & Digitalization
The foundations also funded the construction of multiple libraries in Guyana and supported the digitalization of their catalogues. This initiative has made thousands of books and educational resources more accessible to students and communities, promoting literacy, learning, and technological advancement throughout the country. Sobhraj Foundation overview.
York College Counseling Suite & Scholarships
Zara Charitable Foundation (ZCF) funded the construction of a US $42,000 counseling suite and provided scholarships for graduating seniors. The new facility offers students a dedicated space for academic and personal guidance, while the scholarships recognize and support outstanding achievement among the school’s top graduates.[Zara Realty news](https://zararealty.com/news/)
Donation to Cardozo High School Robotics Team
The George Subraj Family Foundation (GSFF) donated US $10,000 to the Benjamin N. Cardozo High School robotics team. This contribution supported the students’ participation in competitive robotics programs, helping them develop skills in engineering, coding, teamwork, and innovation while representing their school at regional and national competitions.(https://cardozohigh.com/)
Funded Senior Class Trip for P.S. 164 Students
The George Subraj Family Foundation (GSFF) funded a senior class trip for P.S. 164 students in Brooklyn to celebrate their graduation. This initiative provided the students with a memorable and rewarding experience to mark their academic milestone, reinforcing the foundation’s commitment to supporting education and youth development. GSFF mission.
Technical Education Facility at Government Technical Institute (GTI)
Ken Subraj donated G$180 million to construct a state-of-the-art technical education facility at the Government Technical Institute (GTI) in Guyana. The new building enhances vocational training opportunities by providing modern classrooms, workshops, and equipment to help students gain practical skills for today’s workforce. This major investment underscores the Subraj family’s long-standing commitment to advancing education and workforce development in Guyana. (https://education.gov.gy/)
Technology Support for School in Gujarat, India
The George Subraj Family Foundation contributed US $5,000 to support technology upgrades at the Champalakshmi Narottamdas Lakhani School in Gujarat, India. The funding helped enhance digital learning resources and classroom infrastructure, providing students with improved access to modern educational tools and supporting the school’s mission to integrate technology into its curriculum. (https://subrajfoundation.org/)
Construction of the George & Gloria Subraj Primary School
Tony Subraj funded the construction of The George and Gloria Subraj Primary School in India, named in honor of his parents. The school provides access to quality education for children in underserved communities, reflecting the Subraj family’s dedication to expanding educational opportunities and improving lives through philanthropy.
Backpack Donations to Children’s Church and Schools
Zara Realty delivered one thousand backpacks in 2021 to the Children’s Church of Tabernacle of Emmanuel Full Gospel Assemblies, with recognition from the mayor’s representative, and thousands more in the years after.
Toy Drives & Holiday Kits
Through partnerships with Catholic Charities, Holiday All-Stars, and Coalition Kids, the Zara Charitable Foundation provided thousands of unwrapped toys and gift kits to families in need. [Instagram posts](https://www.instagram.com/zararealty/)
Donation to Local Schools
The Zara Charitable Foundation proudly partnered with local schools to support enriching student programs, providing resources that help inspire learning, creativity, and growth. This initiative reflects the foundation’s ongoing commitment to empowering young minds and fostering educational opportunities that strengthen both students and their communities.
COVID-19 Frontline Donations
Zara Realty, with Chip NYC, donated thousands of masks and cookies to Elmhurst Hospital and Jamaica Hospital. The foundations distributed food hampers in Guyana, installed hand‐washing stations, provided relief and laptops to families displaced by a Richmond Hill fire and offered free COVID‐19 testing for tenants. Masks & cookies news. Zara Realty news. Laptop donation article.
Food Hampers & Hand-Washing Stations
JSSF assembled and delivered thousands of food hampers in Guyana and installed scores of hand‐washing stations in markets and hospitals. Guyana Standard article.
Laptops for Fire-Displaced Students
Following a six‐alarm fire, ZCF and GSFF partnered with Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar to buy laptops for all displaced students, ensuring they could continue remote schooling. Queensborough article.
Backpack Drive for local Students
Zara Realty, ZCF and GSFF provided hundreds of backpacks to students at PS182Q, showing how small acts of kindness boost confidence.
Zara Grocery Program
ZCF collaborated with Mannan Supermarkets and the Gaton Foundation to supply a year of fresh, culturally appropriate groceries—rice, roti, tortillas, lentils and vegetables—to hundreds of families. The program responds to data showing that 25 % of Queens families experience food insecurity and that food insecurity among Queens children is double the national rate. Zara Charitable Foundation page.
Annual Turkey Drives in Queens
Every November ZCF partners with elected officials—including Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar and Council Member I. Daneek Miller—and local organizations to distribute hundreds of turkeys and fixings. A 2022 turkey drive handed out over 400 turkeys in just 30 minutes, highlighting high demand. Event page.
Backpack Drives with Local Partners
Friends of Smokey Park and Masjid al Abidin & Servant Hood International backpack drives distributed hundreds of backpacks and supplies. These events emphasized that every act of kindness honors George Subraj’s legacy.
Cultural Event Sponsorships
Sponsorships extend to events like Cocktails at the Manor and the Queensboro Dance Festival, celebrating arts and cultural diversity.
Charity Run for Cancer Patients
Sports Equipment Donation in Guyana
JSSF donated millions of dollars worth of cricket, soccer, basketball and badminton equipment to Guyana’s Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and local clubs.
Sponsorship of local Sports Leagues
The foundations sponsor cricket and softball tournaments in New York and support a men’s basketball league in Astoria, encouraging youth participation and teamwork.
Honored Partnership with the NYPD & FDNY
For over a decade, Zara Realty has proudly supported both the NYPD and FDNY, recognizing the vital role our first responders play in keeping our communities safe. Through long-standing partnerships and participation in the annual National Night Out, we’ve worked together to strengthen trust, unity, and collaboration between residents and those who serve and protect them. At the 41st Annual National Night Out, we were honored to be recognized by the NYPD’s 103rd Precinct Community Council for our ongoing commitment to community engagement and public service. This award, presented to Tony Subraj, symbolizes our shared dedication to building safer, stronger neighborhoods for all.
Resident-oriented efforts, such as mask distribution, tenant appreciation days, grocery gift cards, backpack drives, laptop donations, and event programming at The 88, highlight Zara Realty’s ongoing commitment to the well-being of its tenants. At the same time, broad community programs provide life-saving medical care, technology training, scholarships, culturally relevant food, sports equipment, and cultural events to thousands of people in Queens, Guyana, and beyond. These complementary strands of philanthropy demonstrate how Zara Realty leverages its resources to uplift both its residents and the wider community.
Zara Realty continues to remain open and responsive to organizations and individuals in need, ensuring that support and assistance reach those who can benefit most.