One Brooklyn
August 12, 2020
Photo Credit: Jonah Allon/Brooklyn BP’s Office
Brooklyn, NY – Today, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams hosted international business leaders from Seoul, South Korea at Brooklyn Borough Hall to announce the delivery of 10,000 personal protective equipment (PPE) wellness packs to local families in need, as part of a broader initiative to provide resources to New York City and highlight the bonds between the two cities as they continue to recover from the devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, which forged the partnership with the help of Stepinto.city, will facilitate the distribution of 10,000 PPE wellness packs containing masks, sanitizer sprays, and educational games to keep children entertained and households safe during COVID-19 to local organizations and faith-based institutions throughout the borough.
The Seoul Business Agency (SBA), Stepinto.City, a business accelerator that assists international companies looking to establish a footprint in New York City, as well as the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, and the Queens Chamber of Commerce joined Borough President Adams during the announcement.
The PPE packs were procured and donated by small businesses in South Korea, which was among the nations most affected during the early stages of COVID-19 but has since been praised as a model to emulate in fighting the pandemic. The first donation was made to Catholic Charities, which provides a variety of services to low-income and vulnerable New Yorkers, immediately following the press conference.
“This extremely generous donation is a welcome reminder that even during extremely challenging times, the international community can step up to help others in need. Seoul knows from experience just how devastating COVID-19 can be, both for public health and the economy, and their assistance is coming at a critical time for New York City, as we prepare to re-open schools and plan out our recovery process. We thank the SBA for sending these pouches, and the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce for creatively harnessing the power of small businesses around the globe to make a difference,” said Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams.
“On behalf of the Brooklyn’s business community, a gracious thank you to the Seoul Business Agency, Stepinto.City and small businesses throughout Seoul that donated PPE to help New York’s vulnerable communities stay safe and healthy,” said Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Randy Peers. “Seoul has had arguably one of the best responses to the pandemic globally, and we look forward to a continued partnership on issues impacting economic development and mutual opportunities for our small businesses.”
“When I moved to Brooklyn five years ago, I immediately fell in love with the borough. The vibrancy of life and community here is incomparable. StepintoCity is all about international businesses joining together to create incredible endeavors, and what better way to showcase the bonds between the two cities than through a donation of resources to help them fight this pandemic? I thank the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce and Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams for facilitating this important partnership,” said Stepinto.City Founder and CEO Junhwan Paul Kang.
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