Lindenhurst Couple Recognized For Helping The Community

LINDENHURST, NY — The community came together to help a Lindenhurst couple to support them in their efforts to help others during the coronavirus crisis. A few weeks ago, Melissa and Andrew Iacona both started volunteering for Long Island Open Source Medical Supplies, a local group created in response to the coronavirus made up of 73 sewists, crafters, makers and 43 drivers who create and donate over items for frontline workers. The couple started helping out by running A.I. Labs which is an independent Maker Space making 3D printed face shields out of their living room. Even though they are both essential workers, Andrew works at The Home Depot and Melissa works Northport Veterans Affairs Medical Center, when the pandemic hit New York, they put their 3D printing skills to work to help healthcare heroes and other frontline workers

Since they began they have produced over 1,800 3D printed face shields and have donated them to the U.S. Government, Youth Enrichment Services, Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Hospital, Northwell Hospital chain, Home Depot, Stony Brook University, Yaphank Distribution Center – EMS/PD/FD and Nassau Probation Officers. They have even been donating to individuals off of Facebook through COVID-19 Group.

In order to help fund these donations, they have paid $2,300 of their own money, receiving about $1,000 from donations. So in an effort to help fund the rest of their efforts, the New York Turkish American Center and the Turkish American Steering Committee presented the local couple with a check for $1,300. This donation aimed to offset the difference in what they paid out-of-pocket. The surprise check presentation was conducted by Erol Akyurek, President, New York Turkish American Center. On hand to cheer for the couple and to recognize them for their hard work were: Town of Babylon Supervisor, Rich Schaffer; Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army Steven Castleton; Founder of the Long Island Open Source Medical Supplies group (LIOSMS), Rebecca Kassay; the President of the Suffolk County Police Asian Jade Society, Ed Hugh; and Long Island Love and Amo Long Island Founder, Miroslava Gonzalez.

"The outpouring of love and support from our community has been humbling," Miroslava Gonzalez, founder of Long Island Love and Amo Long Island said. "We are proud of the efforts of the thousands of Long Island residents like Andrew and Melissa who are selflessly creating home-made PPE, donating their talents and countless hours for the sake of strangers affected by this pandemic."

The couple plans to continue this project with the money from the stimulus check they are expecting to receive.

"The Town Board members and I are very grateful to Andrew and Melissa for their selfless actions," Town of Babylon Supervisor, Rich Schaffer said. "They serve as role models for all of us in how we should act during these times of crisis. All of this is proof that we will overcome this challenge that this terrible virus presents to our country."

In addition, the Suffolk County Police Asian Jade Society pledged to sponsor the Iacona’s future projects so that they can continue to work without having to worry about finances. As a result, the society created a GoFundMe fundraiser to lobby the community’s support in their efforts to sponsor additional unsung heroes from Long Island who are going above and beyond to help out complete strangers during this pandemic.

"The Suffolk County Police Asian Jade Society heard about Andrew and Melissa’s work, and the dedication, time, effort and personal money that they are investing for complete strangers and decided to help out our unsung Long Island heroes," Ed Hugh, President of the Suffolk County Police Asian Jade Society said. "We contacted several organizations and partnered up with them to bring Andrew some backup to reimburse him for all out of pocket expenses."

Courtesy photos