L-R: Callie Brennan, Owner, Crazy Beans; Angela Kaziris, Owner, Premiere Pastry; Brian Barton, Owner, Penny’s Car Care; Joan Dickinson, Director, Community Relations, Stony Brook University; Bernice Fehringer, Owner, Chocolate Works; Dr. Richard Rugen, Chairman, Ward Melville Heritage Organization; Dan Laffitte, General Manager, Three Village Inn; Suresh Renganathan, Chief Technology Officer, Teachers Federal Credit Union; Inna Sprague, Chief Experience Officer, Teachers Federal Credit Union; Congressman Lee Zeldin; Chris Kaziris, Premiere Pastry; Gloria Rocchio, President, Ward Melville Heritage Organization, Gary Contes, Owner, Village Coffee Market, Margo Patatinis, Owner, Sweet Mama’s; Claude Cardin, Owner, Fratelli’s Italian Eatery, Marios Patatinis, Owner, Sweet Mama’s
Stony Brook, NY: Teachers Federal Credit Union, one of the largest credit unions in the United States with $7.5 billion in assets and more than 340,000 members, today continued its local Long Island community giving efforts with a charitable donation in support of Stony Brook Village / Stony Brook University Hospital Healthcare Meal Program.
Inna Sprague, Chief Experience Officer, and Suresh Renganathan, Chief Technology Officer of Teachers Federal Credit Union, presented Dr. Richard Rugen, Chairman and Gloria Rocchio, President of the Ward Melville Heritage Organization, with a $5,000 donation in support of the Stony Brook Village / Stony Brook University Hospital Healthcare Meal Program benefitting the extraordinary work and sacrifices of local nurses, doctors and healthcare personnel on the front lines of the COVID-19 outbreak.
“From employees, to members, to neighbors, the foundation of Teachers has always been our community,” said Brad Calhoun, President and CEO of Teachers Federal Credit Union. “During these unprecedented times, our organization is channeling our passion for the communities we serve by supporting our healthcare professionals on the frontlines of COVID-19 and the local small businesses that have been financially impacted.” To date, Teachers has now donated more than $25,000 to Suffolk County downtown districts in an effort to keep the local economy in motion and support local healthcare workers.
“Our communities’ small businesses are stepping up to the plate when their neighbors need them most, feeding our brave healthcare and frontline workers as they battle coronavirus on the ground,” said Congressman Lee Zeldin. “Now the Teachers Federal Credit Union is stepping up to support these businesses, helping to ensure they can continue to serve our frontline workers and emerge on the other side of coronavirus stronger than ever.” Gloria Rocchio commented, “This example of coming together in a time of crisis and giving freely of yourself is the true definition of community. We thank Teachers Federal Credit Union for coming forward with their contribution to this important program.”
Stony Brook Village restaurants including Three Village Inn/Lessing’s, Fratelli’s, Crazy Beans and Sweet Mama’s have delivered over 6,000 meals to these dedicated heroes so they can literally have that meal, on the go. Considering there are some 7,000 employees at the hospital, this is the ultimate example of service. Other Stony Brook Village shops participating include The Crushed Olive, Village Coffee Market, Chocolate Works, Premiere Pastry, Brew Cheese and Penny’s Car Care who have delivered snacks, cheeses, pastries, cookies, drinks and much more. Monetary donations are also coming in each day from the community and beyond. Joan Dickinson, Director of Community Relations at Stony Brook University, says “We appreciate the incredible support from the community. Every donation makes a difference.”
During this ongoing effort, we can all help and show our support for our healthcare professionals. You can donate to Stony Brook eateries or you can send your donation to the Ward Melville Heritage Organization, a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation, founded in 1939.
Your donation is fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law and every dollar will go to this cause. For further information or to donate via credit card, call 631-751-2244. Checks should be made payable to WMHO. Please specify on the check memo which eatery your donation should go to, or it will be applied to the general Stony Brook University Hospital Meal Program account. Please mail checks to WMHO, P.O. Box 572, Stony Brook, NY 11790.
Photo Credit: Peter Ganley
