Holbrook IT firm donates 6K face masks, with assist from son of NFL legend
Future Tech Enterprise, a Holbrook-based IT solutions provider, has donated 6,000 face masks to protect workers and volunteers on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19.
Long Island Community Hospital in Patchogue received 5,000 KN95 masks from Future Tech, which also delivered another 1,000 of the masks to the Island Harvest Food Bank.
Future Tech CEO Bob Venero tracked down the personal protective gear via a social media post, paying $50,000 for the equipment. Ryan Nece, the son of former NFL Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott, who has donated tens of thousands of masks to healthcare workers, helped source the masks for the Future Tech donation through his nonprofit Ryan Nece Foundation.
“I can’t express enough the gratitude and respect that I have for the heroes who are keeping us safe and secure,” Venero, who conceived and headed up the effort, said in a company statement. “Future Tech is doing everything we can to help these essential workers.”
Long Island Community Hospital President and CEO Richard T. Margulis said he’s been inspired by neighbors stepping up and stepping forward amidst the crisis.
“This meaningful and important donation of 5,000 facemasks from our friends at Future Tech will provide our heroes with personal protection and peace of mind as they tend to our patients, and gives Long Island Community Hospital another level of reassurance that we will have the tools to continue to safely meet our challenges as this crisis continues,” Margulis said in the statement.
Randi Shubin Dresner, president and CEO of Island Harvest Food Bank, said her nonprofit is “incredibly grateful” to Future Tech for their caring and generosity.
“Future Tech’s donation will help ensure the health and safety of Island Harvest Food Bank’s staff and volunteers as we continue to provide much-needed food support to our Long Island neighbors affected by this unprecedented public health crisis,” she said.
Venero said it’s vital that everyone in America get behind the workers on the front lines saving lives.
“Anybody on the front lines who is putting themselves and their families at risk to support the sick deserves all the credit in the world,” he said. “If we don’t get behind our front-line workers, we are not going to continue to have them there to support each and every one of us. They are saving lives every day. Their next patient could be your mother, grandmother, spouse, or you.”
