Future Tech Enterprise, Inc., an award-winning global IT solutions provider headquartered in Holbrook, NY, is stepping up to help the Long Island community hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.
The company has donated 5,000 personal protective equipment (PPE) 3M KN95 masks to Long Island Community Hospital in Patchogue and another 1,000 to Island Harvest Food Bank, a leading hunger-relief organization on Long Island. The initiative was conceived and is headed by Future Tech CEO Bob Venero.
“I can’t express enough the gratitude and respect that I have for the heroes who are keeping us safe and secure,” said Venero. “Future Tech is doing everything we can to help these essential workers.”
“The COVID-19 outbreak has challenged and tested us all, and I have been inspired on a daily basis as our neighbors step up and step forward,” said Long Island Community Hospital President and CEO Richard T. Margulis. “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.”
“We’re incredibly grateful to Future Tech for their caring and generosity,” said Randi Shubin Dresner, president and CEO, Island Harvest Food Bank. “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.”
Venero tracked down the PPE gear via a social media post, paying $50,000 for the protective equipment. He credits Ryan Nece, a former professional football player and his Ryan Nece Foundation – which has donated tens of thousands of masks to a variety of health care providers – for helping him locate the KN-95 masks for purchase. Nece is the son of former NFL superstar and Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott.
“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,” said Venero. “It is vital that everyone in America get behind the workers on the front lines saving lives.”
“It’s very simple,” he added. “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.”