*NEWS* IKEA RETAIL U.S. DONATES THOUSANDS OF GOODS TO QUEENS FAMILIES AT-RISK DURING COVID-19 CRISIS

New Bedding, Towels, Batteries, Children’s Items to Community-Based Organizations, Shelters

(April 30, 2020 at 9:00am)

QUEENS, NY – Acting Queens Borough President Sharon Lee today announced a partnership with IKEA Retail U.S. to provide thousands of products such as new bedding, towels and children’s items to Queens non-profit community-based organizations and shelters for distribution amongst families throughout the borough.

The contribution of IKEA goods is part of a nationwide initiative announced last week to donate $1.6 million worth of products and supplies to support communities around the country most severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Queens is proud to partner with IKEA and thanks them for this swift, generous donation of much-needed items to help families during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Borough President LEE. “We are deeply grateful to our non-profit community partners for their brave, unwavering commitment to serve and protect the most vulnerable.”

“We recognize the role we can play in helping people during the COVID-19 crisis, and we are proud to support relief efforts in Queens with a donation of much-needed products including bedding and bath linens,” said IKEA Area Manager SHAHAB MOLLAEI. “As a company that cares deeply about people and the planet, our thoughts remain with those in the Queens community and elsewhere who are directly affected by the virus and those working tirelessly to help them.”

On Thursday, April 30, Borough President Lee will facilitate the distribution of thousands of donated items to Queens CBOs or facilities serving at-risk populations, including:

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey will assist with the distribution of the donated IKEA items to CBOs.

The donated IKEA items include:

“On behalf of CORE Services Group Beach House, we thank IKEA and the Queens Borough President’s Office for these kind gifts to support our residents during these very difficult times,” said CORE Services Group Beach House Program Director JULIO DEJESUS.

“We want our families to feel as safe and supported as possible during this difficult time,” said Homes for the Homeless Administrator MICHAEL FAHY. “Thank you to the Queens Borough President’s Office for facilitating this thoughtful donation from IKEA. Community partnerships like this are so critical in helping us supplement our day-to-day service needs.”

“The Korean American Family Service Center is thankful for the generosity and friendship of Acting Borough President Lee,” said Korean American Family Service Center Executive Director JEEHAE FISCHER. “Our immigrant survivors of domestic violence including the residents at our emergency shelter are now, more than ever, vulnerable and face an uncertain future. This donation comes at the perfect time as we are all tightening our belts due to financial ramifications of COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.”

“Transitional Services for New York is so grateful to Borough President Lee for facilitating a donation of much-needed supplies from IKEA during this challenging time, as many of our residents are in isolation along with the rest of the state,” said Transitional Services for New York, Inc. CEO LARRY GRUBLER. “IKEA has stepped up to the plate and we are so grateful.”

“We are very humbled to receive this donation from IKEA, which will go to the men and women who are re-entering our community, helping them re-enter with dignity,” said 100 Suits for 100 Men Founder KEVIN LIVINGSTON. “We are very appreciative of the support from Borough President Lee and IKEA.”

“Thank you to IKEA and Borough President Lee for keeping the survivors and families we serve in your thoughts. The generous donations and support are critical in meeting the needs of our families in a time of crisis,” said Womankind Associate Director of Residential Programs SHAN HUANG. “This will surely improve the lives of so many, bringing them a sense of ease and comfort as they journey through refuge, recovery, and renewal.”

“In these unprecedented times, many non-governmental organizations are locked out from being able to purchase essential domestic supplies and personal protective equipment,” said LifeWay Network Executive Director MARION KENDALL. “LifeWay is extremely grateful for the support of Queens Borough President Sharon Lee and her office, which understands our plight and quickly moved to lend the kind of support necessary to keep our business going. We are deeply moved by the generosity of the Queens Borough President and her staff.”

“Women for Afghan Women (WAW) is grateful to the Queens Borough President and IKEA for considering us for this donation,” said Women for Afghan Women US Country Director NAHEED SAMADI BAHRAM. “The donation will go to the low-income Afghan, Muslim and immigrant families in Queens who are either survivors of domestic violence and families who have been affected by COVID-19. Our community has lost a number of people to COVID-19 and this donation will greatly help their grieving families.”

“Voces Latinas thanks IKEA for their generous donation of household goods to the families in Western Queens. Voces Latinas targets immigrant Latinos living with HIV and violence, many of which have compromised immune systems, and our community has sadly been one of the most impacted by COVID-19,” said Voces Latinas Executive Director NATHALY RUBIO-TORIO. “Many of the clients we serve are among the essential workers who risk their lives every day to keep the city running. We’re thankful and most gracious that IKEA recognizes this and understands the level of need in our community at this time.”

“The right gift at the right moment can have meaning for a lifetime. Forestdale is so grateful for this demonstration of compassion by IKEA. This generous gift will help hundreds of families who are struggling in the face of tragic losses and the hardship of lost wages,” said Forestdale, Inc. Executive Director BILL WEISBERG. “Families see that they can count on the broader community — companies like IKEA, leaders like Acting Borough President Sharon Lee, and Forestdale’s staff and supporters — for clothing, household items, food, and medical supplies. This donation of linens and towels from IKEA represents fewer things for families to worry about, and the toys for children are coming at a crucial time when they need entertainment and joy.”

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