Heroes COVI D -1 9
ARTISTRY DANCE PROJECT artistrydanceproject.com BAYSIDE TRAVEL luxurytravelservice.com
It is truly amazing how so many people have risen to the challenges, which this unbelievable nightmare has beset upon the world. Here, at the Journals, we have the advantage of receiving an overview of some of the heroes who have made a difference during Covid-19 in the past few weeks in Westchester and Fairfield Counties. These heroes come from diverse business and nonprofit sectors. They’re creative, caring people who think more of others than they do of themselves. Adversity brings out the best in people and our heroes certainly are the best.
PERETZ, RESNICK, MITGANG & MARCUS LLP peretzcpas.com
Westfair thanks you and salutes you.
RAPHA MASSAGE rapha-massage.com
BLACK ROCK YACHT CLUB blackrockyc.org
SACRED HEART UNIVERSITY sacredheart.edu
CONNECTICUT’S BEARDSLEY ZOO beardsleyzoo.org
SPRY THERAPEUTICS sprytherapeutics.com
GMG PUBLIC RELATIONS gmgpr.com
STATEWIDE ABSTRACT statewidea.com
HARVEST ON HUDSON harvesthudson.com
THE UPPER CLASS theupperclass.net
HOLIDAY INN MOUNT KISCO ihg.com
UNITED WAY OF COASTAL FAIRFIELD COUNTY unitedwaycfc.org
HRG hrginc.net LAS VEGAS SANDS sands.com
WHITE PLAINS HOSPITAL wphospital.org/covid19help
NANCY McGUIRE
WILLETT PUBLIC AFFAIRS LLC willettpublicaffairs.com
MIRON MARKETING mironmarketing.com
APRIL 27, 2020 | FAIRFIELD COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL | WESTCHESTER COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL FCBJ
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Heroes LAS VEGAS SANDS: MORE THAN THROWING DICE
Two million surgical masks donated by Las Vegas Sands arrived recently in Albany where 500 boxes, containing one million masks were unloaded for distribution to health care providers and first responders attacking the COVID-19 crisis on the front lines. Masks earmarked for New York were sent to a state collection center that will distribute to front-line workers.
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“This pandemic has called on each of us to use every ability we have to help those most impacted by the crisis,” Adelson said. “Getting personal protection equipment to our health care professionals and first responders in New York, the epicenter of this crisis, is critical to keeping those brave folks safe, while making sure they can do their jobs to aid our most vulnerable citizens.” In total, the Las Vegas Sands has donated more than 2.5 million pieces of personal protection equipment
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to Nevada, New York, California and Massachusetts. The company also donated 1,900 coronavirus test kits and is in the process of donating 20,000 protective suits to Nevada.
SPRY ENTERS THE BATTLE AGAINST CORONAVIRUS
Spry Therapeutics, a White Plainsbased health and wellness technology company, utilizes the soft-surface filter technology Pneumapure in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. Spry’s co-founder and CEO Bill Purdy announced that the company will donate 10,000 of its filtered health care pillows, the Spry Medical Pillow, to hospitals across the U.S. to help thwart the spread of the virus and other harmful pathogens such as MRSA, C. diff, E. coli and Candida auris. It also has made the Spry Medical Pillow — previously only available to health care facilities — available to consumers. Since the announcement of the donation efforts, seven health systems and 50 hospitals across
the country have adopted them to eliminate soft surfaces as a vector for contamination and help protect patients and caregivers from the virus. The facilities that have adopted the Spry Medical Pillow include Northwell Health, North Shore University Hospital, Mount Sinai Hospital, Westchester Medical Center, Catholic Health Services of Long Island, The Cleveland Clinic and Atlantic Health System.
WHITE PLAINS HOSPITAL MEETING VIRUS DEMANDS
White Plains Hospital is meeting the demand of an influx of COVID19 patients with teams working around the clock to heal the sick and prevent the spread of disease. To help with virus demands the hospital has been flooded with an outpouring of community support, including food, supplies or heartfelt tributes, and many are reaching out every day to ask, “How can I help?” Here’s a community outreach opportunity that’s available to everyone and would mean so much at this time. A messaging frame is
accessible to all via download at wphospital.org. People can use it to write a message, draw a picture or get creative to celebrate these essential frontline workers. These messages can be shared on social media with #WPHCommunityLove and emailed to: wphcmail@wphospital.org or mailed to: White Plains Hospital Community Love, 101 E. Post Road, White Plains 10601. All messages will be on display at the hospital for all frontline workers to read during shift changes and breaks. In addition, those wishing to make a donation to the hospital during this critical time can do so here: https://www.wphospital.org/ covid19help.
Thank You Frontline Heroes WE’RE HERE TO HELP, DELIVERING PROPANE AND PEACE OF MIND CONVENIENT AUTO DELIVERY
EXPERIENCED CUSTOMER AGENTS
ACCESSIBLE 24 HOURS A DAY
Paraco wants to thank the heroes who are on the frontline fighting COVID-19 every day. As a family-owned and operated company for over 50 years, we are committed to serving our extended family, our customers, through the good times and the trying times. Because of the unwavering dedication of our amazing employees, we are here for you and continue to safely and responsibly deliver Propane to our residential and commercial customers. Just a phone call or online message away, you can reach us toll-free at 800-647-4427, or by logging on to our online portal at myaccount.paracogas.com
PARACO, FUELING YOUR TODAY, TOMORROW, AND YOUR EVERY DAY 800.647.4427
www.paracogas.com
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CONNECTICUT’S BEARDSLEY ZOO LOOKS FOR A HELPING HAND
Connecticut’s Zoo closed TWB Living Beardsley Up Westchester effective 10” w xMarch 5.625”17hto do our part to arrest the spread of COVID-19, just 4-9-20 as we headed into what is our peak season.
Although our gates are closed to the public, staff members continue to come to work every day. We have more than 300 animals on grounds, many of them endangered species. Our animal care staff must feed, clean, offer training and enrichment
each day to animals from tigers and leopards to Spider monkeys and Golden lion tamarins, along with dozens more. But while the zoo continues to operate behind the scenes, without guests, we have lost our largest and most important source of income. Our revenue losses are now in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, and as each day passes, the shortfall in operating funds grows. We have set up an emergency fund, and our spring appeal is designated as emergency support, but without additional government help, we face an difficult future. Still, rain or shine, open or closed, the zoo staff continues to care for our family of animals. While the animal care staff is engaged with their charges, the education staff has pivoted from on-grounds education programming to internet-based, distance learning initiatives for students of all ages. Each day, zoo educators film a variety of Next Generation Science Standards-compliant videos, making them available on our
website, via social media, to broadcasting partners, and as resources for the state’s outreach to teachers. One of the Farmyard’s animal care specialists sewed colorful masks to help protect her colleagues. The zoo’s education curator is working from home, but he’s making videos of backyard wildlife for schoolchildren. The Peacock Café’s chef has locked the doors to the restaurant but is serving staff meals through a side window. Photographer volunteers have turned photos into coloring sheets for kids, Facebook Live is available three times a week focusing on different animals each time, and a zoo supporter from Canada purchased a family membership and asked for us to give it away. We all know that our ability to change and adapt is a trait that has carried us through time, to our 98th year. We are being asked to adapt once again; we can, and we will. As a 501 © (3) nonprofit, however, we rely on ticket sales, zoo visits, memberships, education program fees, donations and meeting and rental
revenue to operate. Being closed will have a significant impact on our operating budget. Any size donation to our emergency operating fund will assist us in the care of our animals and team members. — Lisa Clair
THREE BUSINESSMEN COORDINATE SPECIAL DELIVERIES
Thanks to the efforts of three Westchester businessmen, 7,000 masks and PPE are on their way to police departments across Westchester. When Mark Okamoto was introduced to Richard Zhang by Alan Singer in 2018, the men had no way of knowing that their business relationship could actually end up saving lives. Attorney Alan Singer introduced Statewide Abstract Director of Regional Sales Mark Okamoto to Richard Zhang, founder of Richbridge Capital LLC and manager of Empire Suites in White Plains and Empire Apartments in New » HEROES
The Essence of Community is Understanding the Needs of Others healthy community is defined by how we serve others. We help the “ Ahomeless and hungry… and with The Westchester Bank by our side, we’re truly making a difference and lifting up Westchester together. ” ANAHAITA KOTVAL Executive Director Lifting Up Westchester
John Tolomer President & CEO The Westchester Bank
Anahaita Kotval Executive Director Lifting Up Westchester
MAMARONECK 305 Mamaroneck Ave. (914) 315-2486 OSSINING 240 S. Highland Ave. (914) 502-4421
MT. KISCO 51 S. Moger Ave. (914) 752- 4262
RYE BROOK 800 Westchester Ave. 4th Floor (914) 368-0987
WHITE PLAINS 464 Mamaroneck Ave. (914) 290-6330
THORNWOOD 994 Broadway (914) 984-5446
YONKERS 1900 Central Park Ave. (914) 337-1900
TheWestchesterBank.com
COMMERCIAL LOANS • COMMERCIAL MORTGAGES • CREDIT LINES • BUSINESS CHECKING • MONEY MARKET ACCOUNTS
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Our deepest gratitude To those who Know greater strength, Show greater courage, Live greater commitment. With heartfelt thanks from all of us at PKF O’Connor Davies
KNOW GREATER SUPPORT pkfod.com FCBJ
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Rochelle, to assist with closing on several real estate transactions in Westchester. Richard Zhang is originally from China while Mark Okamoto is from Japan. Mark often assists local police departments around Westchester as an interpreter, offering to help crime victims who do not speak English. Mark is fluent in English and Japanese and also speaks Korean. His work as an interpreter makes him a valuable resource for many of the police departments around the county. Upon their return to Shanghai in mid-March, Richard and his family immediately started procuring PPEs for donation from trusted sources. During the twoweek mandatory self-quarantine at home, they were able to ship more than 100 packages that included 15,000 PPEs to both large and small community hospitals in Washington, California and New York state in the first
week. Starting the second week, the Zhang family reached out to senior communities, first responders and friends and alums who might help distribute or know of those in need. So far, more than 30,000 pieces of personal protective equipment have been donated and sent to the U.S. with more on the way. Richard contacted Mark wanting to do more and knowing that Mark had connections with several police departments, offered to donate to the first responders who he knew probably had limited access to personal protective equipment. Since the original contact on March 27, more than 7,000 masks and gloves have been sent and are on their way to the Westchester County Police Chiefs’ Association to be distributed to police departments around the county. Several thousand more will be sent to first responders within a week. Half of the masks have arrived and more arrived by April 3.
HOTELS STEP UP TO FEED EMPLOYEES
Lindsey Galligan
SACRED HEART GRADUATE IS A HEALTH CARE HERO
Lindsey Galligan, RN, is one of the health care heroes serving the people of the New York metropolitan area. She is working at NYU Winthrop Hospital in Mineola in the medical surgical unit. She received her bachelor of science degree in nursing from Sacred Heart University’s College of Nursing in 2018.
Roedel Cos., a New Hampshirebased hospitality development and management firm whose properties include Holiday Inn Mount Kisco, recently distributed via its properties 2,706 meals to families of all employees, including those who were laid off because of the COVID19 pandemic. The initiative began March 20 and was led by Jennie Jurkiewicz, company director of food and beverage. Holiday Inn Mount Kisco has so far prepared and distributed 531 meals. “I have to give a huge shout out to our executive chefs Kim Fotovich at Holiday Inn Mount Kisco, Dana Marchand at the Hilton Garden Inn Manchester, and Jason Jette at Courtyard by Marriot Nashua. They answered this call to serve our teams, change their normal method of operation, completely adapted and overcame our challenges in getting this program up and rolling!
They did an amazing job!” Donna Lazetera, a cook at the Holiday Inn Mount Kisco, said “I would like to extend my gratitude to Roedel Companies and our GM Stephen Patton for taking care of their employees in times like these. Getting a cooked meal every day from our Chef Kim was such a great idea. I have helped give these meals out and everyone is so thankful for them. We continue to stay positive and hope this ends soon, so we can all come back to our jobs and our work families.”
ADAPTING TO THE CRISIS
From very early on, the partners of Peretz, Resnick, Mitgang & Marcus LLP were concerned that this (Covid-19) was going to be a crisis of monumental proportions both health wise and economically and we were well into the 2020 tax season. In the last major economic downturn, we asked everyone to cut their hours and paid them » HEROES
We Believe In You.
To all the dedicated men and women who are on the front line helping to see us through this time of need we say...
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Construction Industry Council Building Contractors Association 629 Old White Plains Road Tarrytown, NY 10591- 5035 (914) 631- 6070 George Pacchiana, CIC Chairman Fred Sciliano, BCA Chairman CIC/BCA Boards of Directors and Members
Thank You.
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In uncertain times, turn to a name you can trust. Pepe Auto Group l Since 1968
We’ve been a proud part of the community for over 50 years and what matters most to us is the well being of our families, friends, employees, first responders and all our great neighbors.
Rest assured, assured, you can count on us. Our service departments are open and lightly staffed to ensure social distancing. In several of our stores, we’ve implemented “contactless” service check in, a safe process that further reduces person to person contact. We have also enhanced our methods used to clean our vehicles and our facilities. Our sales teams are working from home and our physical showrooms are currently closed for your safety and ours. We’ve started using new digital technologies to better serve you where you can now shop 100% online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at your convenience.
It’s a new, safe and simple way to buy a car. Car shopping is something we all do and transportation is a necessary part of
our lives, so rather than take that away from people, we’re simply changing the process. We believe that it’s essential to give our community the tools they need to continue living a safe, healthy and efficient life as well as provide a sense of “normality” to our community, in a time as troubling as this. Getting back to our routines and focusing on normalities, like this, gives us a sense of comfort and strength. For most of us, these routines have completely changed, but nevertheless, it’s important to focus on the positive. Online car buying is, in fact, the new way to buy a car, and we’ve made sure we’re equipped with the tools needed to make that possible for our customers. The last few weeks presented challenges none of us ever thought we’d face. Our essential employees are here, at work. They leave their homes and their families everyday to come here and for that we
are grateful. A very special thank you to our technicians, our parts departments, our roadside teams, our facilities teams, our service coordinators, our advisors, and management teams. You are faced with making tough decisions day after day and you come in everyday to keep our communities and families safe. We say to our customers, “We exist for you.” We’re proud to say to our employees...
“We exist because of you.” We’d like to also express our sincere appreciation and tremendous gratitude to our essential workers fighting this pandemic. Our hearts go out to those who’ve been personally affected. The Pepe Family is working to do our part to help those on the front lines day and night. Transportation is an essential part of our lives and we will remain open, to help our nurses, doctors, fire fighters, police officers, grocery store workers, restaurants and our entire community. You can turn to us for help. The Pepe Auto Group is here for you.
And we will get through this together! PepeAutoGroup.com l 914-220-0799 FCBJ
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BAYSIDE TRAVEL OFFERS VIRTUAL TRIPS
While the travel industry has been hard hit, our company has been trying to inspire our colleagues and clients with a “Roam from Home” email series. We hope that providing links will inspire people to “Roam from Home” until the time is right to discover again in person. www.luxurytravelservice.com www.fullscreen360.com www.airpano.com www.us-parks.com w w w. t r a v e l a n d l e i s u r e . c o m Virtual Tours: Museums — Sally Winston
W Firs or t R ke e T rs sp ha & on nk Es de Y se rs ou nt , H ia e l E al m thc pl a oy re ee s
accordingly. That worked, but everyone went home with less money, albeit more time off. This time, we decided to do something different. It was our busy season and we made sure everyone was able to work from home by remote access to their office desktops. We have an excellent outside IT person who made sure it happened without a flaw. Then we told everyone that working from home was an option...until it became nearly mandatory when the coronavirus became a state of emergency. We worked from home with the exception of a few people who are still resisting to this day for whatever reason. We provided face masks and gloves. Because so much of our work is in files on paper it was necessary to drop off and pick up work at certain intervals. The work is going well, but our revenues have slowed. Rather than do what we did the last time, we promised everyone full pay
for full days of work and for a while, we are paying everyone 75% and the balance will be paid to them as soon as possible. We applied for a Paycheck Protection Program loan and if this pandemic ends and the economy recovers and the PPP loan comes through, all will be well and hopefully we will all live to tell our grandchildren about it.
WILLETT PUBLIC AFFAIRS LLC STAYS POSITIVE
I run a small government/public affairs consulting firm, based in Westchester. We’re actually busier than ever, helping clients “remotely” advocate before the state legislature as it works on a new budget, and advising client trade associations on compliance with the newly enacted state and federal laws regarding covid-19 in the workplace, from complex state and federal paid sick leave requirements, to emergency grants and loans available to small businesses. We are also working with manufacturers who can supply vital personal protective equipment to New York, by connecting them with key public officials and private hospitals who need these supplies. But there are daily challenges. To smooth over cash flow, we are applying for SBA and other emergency loans. We are also keeping expenses to a minimum, but also being diligent about paying our vendors so
Advisory | Tax | Audit
We help businesses make confident decisions about their operations and finances, especially in the face of a global pandemic. Emergency Loan Consulting | Business Continuity Workforce Planning | Tax Planning Strategies
Louis C. Grassi, CPA, CFE President & CEO 516.918.5924 | lgrassi@grassicpas.com
grassicpas.com
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they in turn can pay their bills, as all businesses are in this together. We should not only be thinking about keeping our own businesses going, but keeping our vendors and suppliers going, too. And we are staying positive, recognizing that this is a health crisis, not an economic crisis, as we are diligently working during this time to help our clients through it as well. May everyone stay focused, productive, innovative and most of all, healthy. For more information, willettpublicaffairs.com/ — Perry Ochacher
MIRON MARKETING AVAILABLE TO HELP YOU STRATEGIZE
I run a marketing company providing branding, strategy, creative services and event marketing to my clients. While a few new projects that were in beginning stages were postponed till after the coronavirus quarantine lifts, I’ve been focusing most of my time since
Debra Miron
the quarantine was mandated to reach out to companies interested in revamping or strengthening their brand and focusing on defining their strategy and identify areas of business development, whether through expanded products, services and/or new channels of distribution. As a published writer, I can provide copywriting through a complete range of marketing services (website, brochures, advertising and blogging, etc.) for » HEROES
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RPW AD Aor20th ThankYou.qxp_RPW Ad Apr20th ThankYou 2 4/14/20 5:41 PM Page 1
THANK YOU
To all the First Responders, Medical Professionals, Doctors, Nurses, Hospital Workers, Paramedics, Police Departments, Fire Departments, Dispatchers, Emergency Medical Technicians, and all essential workers for your unwavering dedication to protecting
all of us during these challenging times. We will never forget your extraordinary and heroic efforts on our behalf. We look forward to the day when we can look you in the eye and tell you in person how thankful we are.
914-285-1700 · w w w.rpwgroup.c om
800 WESTCHESTER AVENUE · 760 WESTCHESTER AVENUE · 925 WESTCHESTER AVENUE · 1025 WESTCHESTER AVENUE 1133 WESTCHESTER AVENUE · 440 MAMARONECK AVENUE · 450 MAMARONECK AVENUE · 100 MANHATTANVILLE ROAD
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small and midsize companies that may not have a designated marketing department or marketing director and help the business owners/president in planning immediate and long-range plans. Now is the perfect time to get the strategies in place so that when business resumes, the executives can increase their sales and new clients. There is never been a better time than now to strengthen their business foundation and create new business/marketing plans. Looking forward to helping companies increase their market presence. — Debra Miron
YACHT CLUB UNABLE TO RE-OPEN
Due to the Covid-19 crisis the Black Rock Yacht Club (BRYC) in Bridgeport was unable to re-open as planned. While the club is in fact closed, except for hastily arranged new pick up and go take-out food
and beverage service, the club has been busy with its Feed the Front Line BRYC Membership Sponsored Program to provide meals to Bridgeport’s front-line health care professionals — something to be proud of.
1700 radio with an update on the major nonprofit organizations in Rockland county as to what they need (donations, money, masks, etc.) as well as how the nonprofits can provide support to residents during this challenging time. GMGPR works with a variety of nonprofits as well as for-profit organizations providing public relations, marketing, social media and event support.
HRG HELPING ORGANIZATIONS WITH VIRTUAL EVENT PLANNING
Risa Hoag
PR EXEC CREATED CALL-IN
President of GMG Public Relations, created a call-in service to help nonprofits in need in Rockland County. Hoag calls in Tuesday mornings at 7:45 a.m. to WRCR
An easy-to-use, online location for your event. Increase engagement with registration, tickets, video, fund meter, sponsorships, donations, online auctions, online journal, polling, surveys, exhibitor section, breakout sessions, and text to donate all in one place. Planning Concept, theme, goal setting, timelines, partnerships, scheduling, logistics, honoree selection and coordination, and remote site coordination.
Production Filming, live recording, integration with social media, audience engagement, pre-event videos with presenters, honorees, and interviews (prerecorded and live). Design & Logistics Venue coordination and on-site setup, remote participation, branding, scheduling, run of show, and coordination with production team. Talent Coordinating and securing hosts/emcees, remote and/or recorded entertainment, and podcasts. Online Event Hub Keep participants engaged and increase support with all event activities in one place. Reporting Comprehensive and detailed summaries on event attendee participation, donors, and sponsorship exposure. Engage and enhance relationships with donors, sponsors and
attendees. • Event marketing • Presentation development • Online journals • Sponsor development and coordination • Donor/Sponsor engagement • Email campaign design and management • Social media management • Public relations and media management Professional video production and streaming to engage your online audience. • Reliable communication platform • Sponsor videos • Remote presentation consultation • Video editing & graphics • Home video recording kits • Stream live guests • Pre-production support & rehearsals • Live, pre-recorded, or hybrid events • Virtual streaming engineers for full support For more information contact Robert Sanders, managing director of HRG: 914-438 — 1552 • info@ hrginc.net
We Thank You! The entire Atlantic Westchester team would like to share their heartfelt thanks and appreciation to all COVID-19 first responders - especially doctors, nurses, EMTs and anyone working in the healthcare field. We would also like to recognize and thank everyone who is working on the frontline and in essential businesses right now. They are risking their health in order for all of us to have everything we need during this time. Our deepest gratitude. The Team at Atlantic Westchester
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914.666.2268 www.atlanticwestchester.com
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Hoping you are all healthy and safe. Wishing a speedy recovery to those who themselves or whose family members have been stricken by COVID-19. We thank the heroes of our communities: physicians, nurses, medical staff, ambulance drivers, delivery personnel and countless others who, rising above fears, are saving lives and are maintaining our communities. At the writing of this note, the $2.2 Trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) package has just been approved and begun to roll out. This represents a historical and unprecedented effort by the U.S. Government to support the economy during the extended business “pause” we are all enduring. At the moment, we are still searching to understand the broad ranging impact of the pandemic and necessary business interruptions, hoping for a realistic timeline to return to some level of normalcy. We are confident that America’s fighting spirit will spark and energize a forceful and sustained recovery. Scientists, government and businesses, are frantically seeking to identify a viable path forward to conquer the COVID-19 pandemic and the reality of its economic impacts. Individuals and business are eagerly exploring ways to maintain their commercial activities working remotely. We are all exploring ideas to restart our halted businesses when it is safe to do so. We can expect lasting changes in consumer and investor behavior stemming from the intense period of stress we are experiencing. Our role, as commercial brokers, is to be ahead in understanding these changes and to guide our clients through a difficult period that will, eventually, also bring historical opportunities. In this very fluid and difficult situation, we are ready to help with advice, ideas and market intelligence. Please reach out to us with your questions and concerns. We will help you navigate these markets following Executive Orders issued by the Federal Government, NY State Government, and guidelines being communicated and updated by our state trade association, NYSAR. Stay safe, stay well. We are a call away. 800 WESTCHESTER AVENUE, RYE BROOK, NEW YORK 10573 914.798.4900 • HOULIHANLAWRENCE.COM/COMMERCIAL
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Heroes toilet paper, paper towels and sanitizing wipes and sprays. Meal kits are also available for purchase to make meal prep easy with simple instructions and ingredients included. Orders can be placed online anytime at www.harvesthudson. com or over the phone at 914-4782800 between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. for pickup between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.
UNITED WAY OF COASTAL FAIRFIELD COUNTY PROVIDES FRONTLINE SUPPORT
HARVEST ON HUDSON RESTAURANT LAUNCHES HARVEST MARKETPLACE AND OFFERS CURBSIDE PICKUP OF GROCERY, HOUSEHOLD ITEMS
Harvest on Hudson, a restaurant in Hastings-on-Hudson on the banks of the Hudson River, is expanding its roster of services with the addition of Harvest Marketplace to the current takeout menu. Harvest on Hudson will be
open for takeout only in compliance with New York state regulations. Menu items include antipastos, pizzas, pastas, steak, chicken and fish dishes as well as cocktails, sangria, beer and bottles of wine. Harvest Marketplace is offering grocery items including fresh produce, dairy, meat and fish, and pantry items including olive oil, salt, pasta, rice, polenta, sugar as well as paper goods including hand towelette,
Kimball commented, “Our neighbors need help, now more than ever. We want to bring as much help, hope and support as we can, not just now but in the future.” United Way is deploying resources across Fairfield County, from New Canaan to Stratford and every community in between. “As a nonprofit that works every day organizing and advocating for change at the grassroots level in Fairfield County, we are perfectly positioned to empower
families during this crisis,” Kimball added. The first investment of $200,000 went to virtual tutoring programs, for K-12; support for community partners providing the basics like food, rent and utilities; and electronic gift cards given directly to families in need, which can be used to pay bills or buy food. Kimball highlighted the need to wisely allocate resources and be
United Way of Coastal Fairfield County CEO Jeff Kimball recently delivered 5,000 protective masks to Optimus Health Care and Bridgeport Hospital. With this the agency began a massive outreach effort for its Neighbors in Need Emergency Fund. Through the local fund and its statewide efforts, United Way is donating nearly $200,000 across Fairfield County to aid those hardest hit, with support ranging from virtual tutoring to basic needs like food, rent and utilities.
Serving Fairfield and Westchester Counties For Over 20 Years Premier Provider of: Brokerage: Commercial Tenants and Landlord Representation
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Heroes innovative during a time of upheaval. “We live in a world driven by metrics and, of course, they’re sacrosanct to us, but how can you possibly measure the extent of the suffering that exists right now when so many are unemployed or living paycheck to paycheck? We have a clear goal to help those in need, we understand and have identified the barriers in our way, we have plans in place to deal with them and we will relentlessly push for results,” Kimball said. “We operate with total transparency. You will know where every dime goes and it’s going directly into the community.” Before the crisis, approximately one out of four families in Fairfield County struggled to make ends meet. Now families are challenged by increased household expenses with school children at home and by the loss of income due to reduced hours or shuttered businesses. Approximately 200,000 Connecticut citizens are unemployed.
Kimball added, “We invite you to join us in this urgent effort to help our neighbors, because — quite honestly, if not now —when?” To donate to the Neighbors in Need Emergency Fund, visit unitedwaycfc.org.
THE UPPER CLASS SURVIVAL PLAN
All businesses are affected by the pandemic, but a small travel business for seniors serving the hot zone of Westchester is a coronavirus trifecta. The Upper Class is a family-owned and operated travel company spanning three generations. The family started the company for their grandmother, who had difficulty finding ways to meet people and activities for seniors. The company provides premium day, overnight and multiday bus tours for Seniors 55+ in Westchester County. Due to the coronavirus the company has been forced to cancel March, April and May trips. At the same time, they have lost hun-
dreds of reservations. Among other trips, customers were looking forward to seeing a Broadway show, going on a vintage train ride, taking a day cruise to The Thimble Islands and kicking off spring in Chicago, but have had their trips cancelled because of COVID-19 concerns. Trying to survive in a coronavirus world, the company is pivoting to get seniors — and the community - thinking of the future, including travel plans. The Upper Class has been inspired by their customers to create a new social media campaign, #SeniorStrong to remind people that there is so much to look forward to. Upper Class has received an outpouring of support and captured it in a video to show the resiliency and strength of its customers and the community. Visit https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=yrWNg1YyflM&feature=youtu.be. Money to provide three weeks of hot dinners for the hospital’s frontline team.
RAPHA MASSAGE SHINES ITS LIGHTS AGAINST THE COVID-19 DARKNESS
Bridgeport’s post-sunset streets may be uncommonly empty as a result of Mayor Joe Ganim’s 8 p.m. curfew designed to halt the spread of COVID-19, but that is not stopping Lynn Mosher from bringing some colorful illumination to a bleak situation. Mosher has set up bright lights around the window of her street-level Rapha Massage on Elm Street
and has cast a rainbow light display across the front of the neighboring Mary and Eliza Freeman Center for History and Community. The lights go on every evening at 7 p.m. and burn until 1 a.m. “I usually do my window for every holiday,” Mosher explained. “I added the rainbow because of the sad/dullness. I remembered that I had collected every color to decorate my windows over the year, so I went for it. I really try to be a light and bring joy to others.”
THANK YOU! Thank you to all the Heroes of White Plains Doctors, Nurses, and First Responders that work to save lives, and to the grocery store workers, delivery drivers, and restaurant-staff. And a Big Heartfelt Thank You to The Kensington Team Care managers, nurses, housekeeping, concierge, drivers, dining, custodial staff and supervisors for working tirelessly to entertain and care for our residents during this challenging time. We are grateful to you.
100 Maple Avenue, White Plains, NY 10601 www.TheKensingtonWhitePlains.com • 914-390-0080
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Heroes AMERICAN FREEDOM WILL SAVE AMERICAN BUSINESSES
Thank you to all the healthcare workers, public service professionals, first responders, gas station employees, truckers, food service workers and everyone else on the front lines. We appreciate you! Harriton & Furrer, LLP, Attorneys and Counselors at Law 84 Business Park Drive, Suite 302 , Armonk, New York 10504 914-730-3400
Thank You
To all those on the front lines of this pandemic, First Responders, Medical Professionals, Doctors, Nurses, Hospital Workers, Paramedics, Police and Fire Departments, and all essential workers, we will never forget your extraordinary efforts. We are all so grateful.
914-996-8100 | risa@gmgpr.com www.gmgpr.com
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Marketing | PR | Advertising Social Media | Event Planning
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The dictators of China, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Iran have no understanding of the American economy and the power of free, creative, inventive and innovative people. There is huge fallout from this government-mandated shutdown, but the small business owners of our Main Streets are resilient. Many businesses are shuttered, but others are powering through. As the warmth of spring fills the streets, I have found commerce happening all around Fairfield County. I picked up a meal from a restaurant, ordered ahead for bread from a local bakery to be picked up. I had an iced coffee from the café across the street and took a yoga class from the local studio right from my living room. As an avid biker, I was worried that the entire weekend would be ruined by an out-of-balanced tire, but the local bike shop had opened for limited hours, blocking their door with a huge box and taking orders from the street. The fish store across the avenue took the same idea with an open door, blocked for takeout only. The attendant at the gas station cleaned his hands with sanitizer before taking
my credit card, which I handed to him in an alcohol-laced wipe. People are 10 feet from each other, but they are kind and hopeful. Doors, cards and bags are handled with plastic gloves or sanitary wipes. —Nancy McGuire
WESTCHESTER BUSINESS CLOSED BUT THE SHOW NEVER STOPS AS DANCE STUDIO REINVENTS ITSELF
Westchester dance studio Artistry Dance Project has been doing all it can to keep its 13 professional dance teachers working and their 300 students dancing and learning while closed due to COVID-19. The dual hit of Broadway’s shutdown and the COVID-19-related closure had Pleasantville’s Artistry Dance Project owners and 13 professional dancers out of work. In less than 36 hours, co-owners Kristna Leitenberger and Lori Lynch reinvented their model completely by launching a fullscale digital platform with more than 200 videos, 75 hours of content and now provides 30 live-streamed classes each week. For more information on the Artistry Dance Project’s digital platform check out their Facebook page: https:// w w w. f ac e b o ok .c om /A r t i s t r y-D a nc e Project-614739181872315/.