The Bountiful Company, Bank of America, PSEG Foundation, and NYSERDA all brighten Nonprofit Headquarters
April 22, 2022 (Deer Park, NY) – United Way of Long Island celebrated Earth Day on April 22 at its Deer Park, Long Island, headquarters with a host of Earth-friendly activities that spotlighted several of its most ambitious and exciting community and corporate partnerships. On hand to brighten the day were representatives from The Bountiful Company, Bank of America, PSEG Foundation, and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).
Beginning at 9:30 a.m., volunteers from The Bountiful Company and students enrolled in the United Way’s YouthBuild program participated in a beautification project at The Bountiful Company Garden on the property of United Way of Long Island. Sponsored by The Bountiful Company, a Nestlé Health Science Company, The Bountiful Company Garden will provide fresh fruit and produce to families with school-age and pre-school children enrolled in the United Way’s Family Support Project, which is offered in partnership with Housing Help, a not-for-profit organization that provides homelessness prevention services to help keep families in their homes and children in their schools. The Bountiful Company Garden is made possible through a $30,000 grant from The Bountiful Company to United Way of Long Island to support the nutritional health of families on Long Island.
“The Bountiful Company is proud to here on Earth Day partnering with United Way of Long Island,” observed The Bountiful Company Director of Corporate Social Responsibility Beverly Lee-Wo. “Our mission is to enhance lives and give back to the communities in which we live, work, and do business. From the fruits of The Bountiful Company Garden to our comprehensive nutrition education initiatives, we look forward to working with United Way of Long Island to improve the health and wellness of the region.”
The Earth Day activities continued at 10:30 a.m. with a solar panel demonstration at United Way of Long Island’s headquarters, which is being transformed into a building that produces as much energy as it uses through the installation and utilization of renewable energy made possible through a NYSERDA grant. Thanks to the PSEG Foundation, which has awarded United Way of Long Island a $45,000 grant toward VetsBuild, veterans will shadow licensed construction professionals to help install more than 550 PV Panels at the United Way facility. The VetsBuild Program provides career training and employment opportunities for Long Island veterans and their families. Also on hand to celebrate Earth Day were
“Power Up” students participating in “Power Up Wind, Solar & Renewables,” a new workforce development program made possible through a $250,000 pilot grant from Bank of America.
“It has been a rewarding experience for everyone involved to work with United Way to help accelerate the transition to a low-carbon, sustainable economy right here on Long Island,” remarked Bank of America Long Island President Marc Perez. “Our renewable energy job training initiative with United Way is preparing Long Islanders for careers in offshore wind, smart grid, and green construction industries.”
PSEG Director of Energy Efficiency and Renewables Michael Voltz stated, “Watching the VetsBuild team this Earth Day is both rewarding and inspiring. By participating in this important United Way of Long Island program, our veterans are gaining experience that will help them find employment in the growing field of renewable energy.”
“NYSERDA salutes United Way of Long Island for working to reduce their building’s carbon footprint while enhancing their ability to serve families across Long Island,” said NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen M. Harris. “The net zero retrofit project is a highly visible example of a local organization doing its part in the fight against climate change.”
“Today’s events and participants demonstrate the progress being made by United Way of Long Island and its partners to advance renewable and sustainable practices,” concluded United Way of Long Island President and CEO Theresa A. Regnante. “Equally important, we are increasing access to opportunities for individuals of all ages from priority populations — access to nutritional food, access to good jobs, and access to the satisfaction that comes with making a difference in the world. It’s an achievement to be celebrated on Earth Day and every day.”
To learn more about United Way of Long Island’s green initiatives and its partners, visit www.unitedwayli.org
Photo: (kneeling) The Bountiful Company volunteers pose with (standing l to r) YouthBuild student Alexander P; United Way’s Craig Fligstein, Chief Grants Officer; VetsBuild/Power Up participant Caleb D, US Army Veteran; United Way’s Rick Wertheim, SVP Housing and Green Initiatives; Power Up participants, Yolanda I and Mendy V; Bank of America’s Marc Perez, Market Executive, Managing Director; VetsBuild participants, Datrelle I, US Navy Veteran and Matt K, US Air Force Veteran; PSEG Long Island’s Michael Voltz, Director, Energy Efficiency and Renewables; United Way’s Stephen Muzyka, Director of Training and Vocational Services; YouthBuild students MaryJoe A and Fredrica K; and PSEG Foundation’s Maria Spina, Manager Corporate Citizenship.