$500K grant to aid Long Island Community Hospital

Three foundations are funding a $500,000 matching grant to help supply personal protective equipment for Long Island Community Hospital staff in their fight against COVID-19.

The Knapp Family COVID-19 Health Crisis Challenge started the initiative to raise $1 million for PPE and other needed supplies to keep healthcare workers safe, according to a LICH statement. The $500,000 matching grant is made possible by the Knapp-Swezey Foundation, Island Outreach Foundation and Gardener Foundation.

The Knapp Family will match every donation, dollar for dollar up to $500,000 to directly purchase masks, gowns, eyewear and other protective gear for staff at the Patchogue hospital.

“I’m extremely grateful and proud to announce this new initiative from the Knapp Family, valued members of our LI Community Hospital family, that will greatly enhance our ability to fight COVID-19 right here in our community,” Richard Margulis, the hospital’s president and CEO, said in the statement.

Michele Knapp, a board member at LI Community Hospital and chair of the Knapp Family COVID-19 Health Crisis Challenge, said donations are protecting those who are saving lives in the community.

“If we do not protect our hospital workers now, sending nurses and doctors without the appropriate armor, we will not be able to respond with confidence to the surge we know is coming,” Knapp said in the statement.  “We have witnessed the devastation unfold over the past couple of weeks in our New York City hospitals. The wave is coming and it is unavoidable. Please join with us to make a difference now, save lives now, the hour of need is now!”

To make a donation visit www.licommunityhospital.org and click on “Giving To Our Hospital” or call 631.654.7708.