One Brooklyn
January 8, 2021
Brooklyn, NY – Today, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams announced that since COVID-19 reached its peak in New York City starting in the spring of 2020, his office has been able to secure, and begin distributing to Brooklynites, more than 600,000 pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE), a crucial element in protecting frontline workers and fighting the pandemic. The announcement comes at a crucial time for the city, as cases, hospitalizations, and death figures continue to rise amid a second wave, while the City and State race to distribute vaccines to achieve herd immunity and beat back the spread of the virus.
“As we continue to contend with this terrible pandemic, which has already taken so much from us, it is easy to lose hope. But one of the overlooked spots of brightness in this dark period has been the outpouring of support from across the world for our borough and city, including these generous donations of lifesaving equipment. When some had turned their backs on our city and left us to fend for ourselves, these organizations — some of whom had directly experienced violent acts of bigotry and xenophobia stemming from the virus — stepped up and helped us get back on our feet. As we enter a new year and a new phase in the fight against COVID-19, let us express our gratitude for this moving example of international solidarity in a time of crisis, and remind ourselves that we will only emerge from this pandemic if we remain united as One Brooklyn and one global community,” said Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams.
Borough President Adams’ office was able to secure these vital pieces of PPE thanks in large part to the generous donations from several business, non-profit, and civic entities based here and abroad. Many were the direct result of Sister City agreements forged during Borough President Adams’ tenure in Brooklyn Borough Hall. A Sister City agreement describes a broad-based, long-term partnership between two communities in two countries, which is officially recognized when the highest elected officials in each community sign off on the agreement. One such agreement, with the Chinese city of Yiwu, located in the Zhejiang province, was instrumental in providing much of the needed supplies to Brooklynites and New Yorkers at the height of the pandemic in spring of 2020, as frontline and essential workers faced severe shortages of masks, gowns, gloves, and other equipment.
In total, Borough President Adams’ office received 567,924 masks, 25,900 gloves, 2,563 pieces of protective clothing, and 46,590 other pieces of PPE.
Among the major donors were the following:
- Seoul Business Agency – StepintoCity, Inc.
- Zoran Medical (Matthew Ward), King Fisher Health and Brooklyn Textiles (George Popescu, Founder and CEO)
- American Buddhist Confederation
- American Chinese Cultural and Education Foundation (ACCEF) and Chinese American Independent Practice Association (CAIPA)
- American Foods Merchants Alliance Inc.
- The Greater New York Automobile Association
- Chinese-American Empowerment, Love Given WeChat, Group Parent-Child Relations Association
- Chong Lou USA Headquarter Inc./ NY Taishanese Folks Association/ Singmo School Alumni Association
- Buddha’s Light International Association
- Shenzhen Jianhui Charity Foundation and Pass The Love Fund for Disabled
Borough President Adams reminded everyone that it is not too late to donate, and with rising case numbers, the need for equipment has become even more acute. To donate, visit brooklyn-usa.org.
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