Author: The Long Island Times

Responding to the increased demand created by the COVID-19 crisis, the Hauppauge-based nonprofit has ramped up its efforts to help feed Long Islanders in need.

With a little help from some friends, Stony Brook University’s iCREATE lab has reached its goal of 3D printing 5,000 protective face shields for healthcare workers at Stony Brook Medicine after starting production last month.

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.

The United Way of Long Island’s new Response Fund for COVID-19 was established to help support vulnerable families who have been financially devastated by the coronavirus outbreak.

Bethpage-based real estate development firm Steel Equities is paying for bottled water supplied by Nestle Waters of Syosset to be delivered to a dozen Nassau hospitals. In addition, Bagels by Bell has delivered over 4,000 assorted bagels to hospital workers throughout the county.

The personal protective gear, usually used by painters and other construction workers, was donated to the Long Island State Veterans Home and Stony Brook Southampton Hospital.

After 122 students at the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University received their diploma two months early, more than half pledged to work on the front line in the fight against COVID-19.

The effort, from the nonprofit founded by hockey hall of famer Pat LaFontaine, is aimed at keeping hospitalized kids motivated on their path to recovery in this challenging COVID-19 environment.

The program is designed to keep families who have fallen on hard times, from having to surrender their pets to shelters simply because they are finding it difficult to provide the basics, like pet food.

The “Stuff a Bus” food drive held by Jefferson’s Ferry Life Plan Community in South Setauket last month yielded 527 pounds of food for Island Harvest.