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Amazon Enthusiastic About Beneficial Relationships With Neighbors
November 13th, 2018 - Amazon announces Long Island City in Queens, New York to be home to one of its two new headquarters. The company boasts the creation of 25,000 new jobs, coupled with 2.5 billion to be invested in community and infrastructure development, to occur over the next 10 to 15 years.
Jeff Bezoz, founder and CEO of Amazon, asserts the development of Amazon’s HQ2 in New York City, “will allow us to attract world-class talent that will help us to continue inventing for customers for years to come…We look forward to becoming an even bigger part of these communities.”
Through the Payment In Lieu of Tax (PILOT) program, Amazon will be looking to residents, as well as city and state officials, to provide direction for how the 2.5 billion should be invested in the community. The initial projects include donating a site for a new primary or intermediary public school, investment in infrastructure improvements, new green spaces, along with designating space on its campus for a tech startup incubator.
“This is a giant step on our path to building an economy in New York City that leaves no one behind. We are thrilled that Amazon has selected New York City for its new headquarters…The City and State are working closely together to make sure Amazon’s expansion is planned smartly, and to ensure this fast growing neighborhood has the transportation, schools, and infrastructure it needs.” Says Mayor Bill deBlasio of New York City.
In addition to the direct investment by Amazon, the economic benefit to the city and state will be immense as the average salary for those newly employed by Amazon is projected to be $150,000, guaranteeing a massive stimulus for the local economy.
#GivingTuesday Funds earmarked for the Humane Society’s Emergency Animal Fund to support victims of the California wildfires
November 20th, 2018 – The Humane Society of the United States announced today that all money raised during the nationally recognized #GivingTuesday campaign taking place on November 27th will go directly to the Emergency Animal Fund to help shelters and other animal protection efforts taking place as a result of the wildfires currently ablaze in California.
“We are heartbroken for the people and animals in California who are in peril due to the wildfires,” said Crystal Moreland, California state director for the Humane Society of the United States. “We are committed to supporting those impacted through our work to support shelters that are caring for evacuated, rescued and displaced animals and all other ways we can lend a hand.”
As of today, more than 250,000 acres have burned, thousands of homes have been destroyed, and more than 60 people have died, and hundreds are missing. The devastation is abounding. The Humane Society of the United States want to assure those left with nothing in the wake of the wildfires feel like they haven’t been left behind.
Outreach Letter to Local Community Organizations
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November 1, 2018
Dear Mr. Dvash,
Season’s Greetings from the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley. To introduce myself, my name is Mary Mazur and I help organize and work with volunteers for the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley in Cornwall-On-Hudson, as well as the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York. I am reaching out to community-focused organizations like yours in hopes of recruiting much needed volunteers to help the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley ensure people and families in the community don’t have to contend with hunger this holiday season and beyond.
The Food Bank of the Hudson Valley and the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York distribute food and other essentials to over 1,000 smaller non-profit agencies like food pantries, soup kitchens, and homeless shelters. With approximately 1 in 10 individuals living below the federal poverty line and relying on food stamps in your immediate community, the need for extra support from organizations like yours is great.
The Food Bank of the Hudson Valley has had millions of pounds of non-perishable foods and produce donated this year to date, and the need for as many extra hands as possible to help sort through these donations is immense. We are in urgent need of volunteers, especially during the holiday season, to help get this food ready to be distributed to children, families, and seniors in need. It is our sincerest hope that you will consider helping us with this mission in two simple ways:
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Word of mouth is a powerful and inexpensive publicity tool. Simply speaking with your associates at the Greater Cornwall Chamber of Commerce about our need will help spread the word and hopefully bring volunteers through our doors.
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Consider volunteering- either as an individual, family, or by organizing a group, for even one shift. 2 hours of time will help the Food Bank of the Hudson valley pack thousands of pounds of food for those who are food insecure.
I know the mission of the Greater Cornwall Chamber of Commerce is to promote the civic, economic, and social welfare of the people in the greater Cornwall area. Just as much as we can help you achieve your mission, you can help us realize ours.
Thank you in advance for any and all assistance you can provide the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley, and most importantly for all help you’ll be providing the people and families struggling with hunger in your community. Please feel free to copy/distribute the included informational flier to whomever you think is willing to lend us a hand.
Sincerely,
Mary Mazur