East Meadow's McVey Elementary Receives 800 Masks From DC 9

EAST MEADOW, NY — An East Meadow elementary school was the Giving Tuesday recipient of 800 face-coverings as confirmed cases of the coronavirus and hospitalizations continues to grow around Long Island and the rest of the country.

District Council 9 made the mask donation to McVey Elementary in an effort to keep communities safe as the group continues its support of local residents in an effort to provide assistance during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

“Since the start of the pandemic, our union has been committed to ensuring our communities are safe. We’ve made sure that our members have the necessary safety equipment while on job sites, and we’ve donated supplies and our services to help during this difficult time,” Joseph Azzopardi, the District Council 9 business manager and secretary treasurer said in a news release.

“Just like our members, we recognize that teachers are on the frontlines, continuing the education of our future generation through unprecedented circumstances, and we’ve decided to do our part to make sure that students, teachers, and their families are safe.”

Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic earlier this year, District 9 officials have made various contributions to assist the community in staying healthy. In May, District Council 9 provided free COVID-19 antibody testing for members and also distributed cloth masks to those who needed them.

DC 9 has also participated in several initiatives to give back to local communities, including the Hope for Harlem event that provided groceries, care packages and hot meals to Harlem residents, the news release said. Most recently, members of the DC 9 Women’s Committee volunteered their time to paint the pressroom at the Women’s Press Collective in the Bronx, which came ahead of Tuesday’s donation of masks to the local school.

“We are so thankful for the generous donation made by District Council 9. While we all navigate this uncertain time, it’s important that we take care of our community members and keep each other safe,” Kathy McKelvey, McVey Elementary school nurse said. “This donation will help us remain safe and continue in-person instruction in our schools.”