We are in the midst of the giving season. But for some of our local businesses and organizations, the season started as far back as Halloween. That’s when ProHealth Dental, with 13 locations across Westchester County, Queens, Long Island and Hoboken, New Jersey, hosted a Halloween Treat Trade-In, in which families donated their extra Halloween candy to support Ronald McDonald House Charities New York Metro (RMHC-NYM). This organization provides a respite for caregivers and family members of children undergoing treatment for complex health-care needs, including cardiac issues and cancer. Donations were collected between Nov. 1 and 7, with more than 100 pounds of candy collected and delivered to RMHC-NYM.
The Cingari Family Markets – including 10 ShopRites in Fairfield County and two Grade A Markets in Stamford – made two Thanksgiving donations to The Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County. Along with presenting the food bank with a $20,000 check, Cingari Family Markets also donated nearly 200 turkeys to feed some 500 families in need on Thanksgiving. For the Cingaris, giving back is a family tradition. For more than 30 years they have been dedicated to the fight against hunger by supporting this food bank.
Meanwhile, a Connecticut manufacturing company has been giving back to those who serve our country all year long. Specifically, Watertown-based Packaging and Crating Technologies LLC (PACT), recently presented a $500 check to the American Legion post in Thomaston, Connecticut, based on a charitable campaign that it launched in November for National Military Appreciation Month. The local nonprofit is a leading advocate for health care and earned benefits for veterans, service members and their families.
“Although we, as an American company, are always patriotically minded, we consider it a privilege to highlight key military holidays and commemorative milestones like Memorial Day, Veterans’ Day and, most recently, Military Appreciation Month,” said Rodger Mort, COO of PACT. “In doing so, we are raising both awareness and financial donations for our heroes and their families.”
Mort added that PACT has strong ties to the military, which uses its various shipping and packaging container lines when individual soldiers are moved from station to station, including its patented LiftVan, PleatWrap, J-Crate, Spiral Foot, MP40, Sofa Crate and Motorcycle Crate. Each item is made from a durable, sustainable corrugated cardboard material and is capable of being reused for hundreds of moves.
Further, the company is a preferred vendor for the U.S. Department of Defense and has been awarded a special permit from the U.S. Department of Transportation for the shipping of lithium-ion batteries, as it passed the proposed SAE-G-27 test standard for shipping lithium-ion batteries.
“PACT benefits the military through both its innovative product line as well as in its generous charitable programs,” said David Lauretano, commander of the American Legion Post 22. “We are extremely grateful for the company’s ongoing efforts in helping to ensure that the sacrifice of our servicemen and women is never forgotten.”
Mercy University in Dobbs Ferry used Giving Tuesday, Dec. 3, to highlight two of its community initiatives. The Mav Market Food and Resource Pantry offers essential items such as food and toiletries, helping combat food insecurity and other basic needs. Rooted in equity and justice, Mav Market – named for the school’s Maverick teams – is designed to ensure students can focus on their education and future.
Mercy’s Student Emergency Fund offers immediate relief to students facing unanticipated financial hardship. From sudden housing loss and medical emergencies to transportation issues and child-care disruptions, this fund provides a safety net that allows students to stay on track toward their goals.
The beauty of these endeavors? They can be embraced in the season of giving and indeed all year long.
