“nyc healthcare heroes” program launches at nyc hospitals next week
New york--(business wire)--“nyc healthcare heroes,” a city-wide philanthropic program to support nyc healthcare professionals on the front lines, is launching next week, providing up to 500,000 packages of shelf-stable food, household cleaning and personal care products, as well as over-the-counter medicine to staff at hospitals across the five boroughs through june. the debra and leon black family and aramark (nyse: armk), the world’s largest u.s.-based provider of food, facilities and uniforms, teamed up to launch the program, in partnership with the mayor’s fund to advance new york city, robin hood, new york city’s largest poverty fighting organization, and the american red cross. to donate, visit bit.ly/nychealthcareheroes. the black family has committed $20 million, including an initial $10 million donation and plans to match additional donations up to $10 million, bringing the total possible raise to at least $30 million. donations of all sizes are encouraged to help support this initiative. with the black family’s matching commitment, just $30 covers the cost of a package for a valued healthcare professional. the packages will be provided to the more than 100,000 new york city healthcare professionals and volunteers heading home to their families at the end of their shifts, with deliveries staggered to accommodate all staffing schedules. select items in the first bag include shelf-stable milk, energy drinks, pasta, tuna fish, peanut butter, ramen noodles, soups, macaroni and cheese, nutrition bars, disinfectant, hand lotion, toilet paper, toothpaste, sanitizers, vitamins and tylenol. the program is adaptable and includes a mechanism to gather feedback, ensuring it meets the needs of hospital staff on an ongoing basis. the distribution is being planned in accordance with ppe and social distancing standards. robin hood is managing receipt of matching 501(c)(3) donations. all donations made through this program are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. to donate, visit bit.ly/nychealthcareheroes. for information on how to donate via wire transfer, stock transfer or ach payment, please contact lisa careccia at careccia@robinhood.org. given social distancing constraints, checks are not a preferred method for donations. about debra and leon black debra and leon black support numerous medical and other institutions in new york city and throughout the united states. debra sits on the board of overseers at weill cornell medicine, the metropolitan museum of art, and rockefeller university, and she has spearheaded gifts for melanoma and obsessive compulsive disorder (“ocd”) research. leon is co-founder, chairman, and ceo of apollo global management. he also is the chairman of the museum of modern art (“moma”) and serves as a trustee of mount sinai hospital, where his family launched the black family stem cell institute in 2005. in 2007, the blacks co-founded the melanoma research alliance (“mra”), a nonprofit foundation that has become the largest private funder of melanoma research worldwide, having committed over $150 million in funding to advance understanding of the disease. mra has helped fund 12 drugs approved by the federal drug administration (“fda”) since its founding, which have been instrumental in launching the immunotherapy revolution, now helping to combat thirty different cancers. in 2020, the blacks co-founded the foundation for ocd research (ffor) to fund research into and treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder. the blacks are also deeply committed to supporting veterans. in 2014, leon launched the apollo veterans initiative, where companies commit to hiring and retaining veterans, national guard, reserves, and military spouses and partners. the debra and leon black family also funds a graduate student fellowship program for u.s. veterans and active duty military members, which covers the cost of attendance and supports comprehensive leadership development annually at harvard kennedy school, harvard business school, and harvard law school. about aramark aramark (nyse: armk) proudly serves the world’s leading educational institutions, fortune 500 companies, world champion sports teams, prominent healthcare providers, iconic destinations and cultural attractions, and numerous municipalities in 19 countries around the world. our 280,000 team members deliver innovative experiences and services in food, facilities management and uniforms to millions of people every day. we strive to create a better world by making a positive impact on people and the planet, including commitments to engage our employees; empower healthy consumers; build local communities; source ethically, inclusively and responsibly; operate efficiently and reduce waste. aramark is recognized as a best place to work by the human rights campaign (lgbtq+), diversity inc., black enterprise and the disability equality index. learn more at www.aramark.com or connect with us on facebook and twitter.