The NYCHA Journal

The NYCHA Journal has informed and inspired residents since 1970, covering the news, contributions, and uplifting stories of the NYCHA community while providing the latest information on Authority initiatives.

COVID-19 Top Story 

100,000 Face Masks Donated to Manhattan NYCHA Residents

LaToya ,

Thanks to a generous donation of 100,000 three-ply surgical masks from SC Health, a medical supply vendor based in South Carolina, NYCHA residents in Manhattan will have the additional supplies they need to help keep themselves and their neighbors safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“During this crisis, SC Health has had the privilege of being able to donate more than 300,000 masks to citizens in communities throughout the eastern United States,” said Alex Szkaradek, President of SC Health SPV. “It is important that we all look out for our neighbors and share our blessings. We will continue these donations moving forward.”

On July 23, Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer, NYCHA’s Vice President for Public Safety Gerald Nelson, and Rangel Houses Resident Association President Bernadette McNear accepted the masks from SC Health representatives at Rangel Houses. 

From left to right, Elizabeth R. Caputo, Chair Emeritus, Manhattan Community Board 7; Bernadette McNear, Rangel Houses Resident Association President; Michael P. Beys of Beys Liston & Mobargha LLP; Rhonda Bennett, Polo Grounds Towers Resident Association President; Gale A. Brewer, Manhattan Borough President; and “Chief” Gerald Nelson, NYCHA’s Vice President for Public Safety.

NYCHA resident leaders will distribute the masks to residents throughout Manhattan to assist in the ongoing fight to curb the spread of COVID-19.  

“I applaud SC Health for its civic mindedness in making this donation,” Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer said. “These masks will help New York stay a national leader in ‘flattening the curve’ of COVID infections just as the national infection rate is exploding.” 

“As New York City continues to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, NYCHA’s focus on the health and safety of our residents and employees has been unwavering,” said NYCHA Chair and CEO Greg Russ. “We greatly appreciate this donation of 100,000 3-ply masks from SC Health and our local community leaders who will distribute them, as we work together to keep our community and our city safe and healthy.”

Also in attendance at the donation event representing SC Health was Michael P. Beys, President of US Home Rentals and a partner in the boutique litigation firm Beys Liston & Mobargha LLP. Mr. Beys said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has hit New York City hard, but New Yorkers are tough. We have responded by coming together to support each other, strengthen our communities, and help to ensure that we all stay safe and healthy. We’re pleased that SC Health, which donated the masks, and local community leaders are working together to get 100,000 masks into the hands of Rangel Houses residents and the NYCHA employees who are working every day to keep residents healthy.”

“Everyone is naturally concerned about the virus,” said Rangel Houses Resident Association President Bernadette McNear. “These masks will help reassure all our residents that they are staying safe.”
 
SC Health is planning 20 more mask donations by the end of 2020. The company previously donated masks to the City of Columbia and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department in South Carolina; New Orleans and Shreveport, Louisiana; Howard County Chamber of Commerce, Maryland; and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.