Like with other recent catastrophic natural disasters, Bethenny Frankel is stepping up to help through her BStrong disaster relief initiative. While The Real Housewives of New York City alum has been sheltering in place in the Hamptons, and giving followers a glimpse into her daily routine on Instagram, she has also been leading an incredible effort to support those on the frontlines of the pandemic.
“I didn’t think that bstrong would be involved in corona, because we’re more about disaster relief. This quickly became a disaster,” Frankel told CBS News.
As of April 24, BStrong, in partnership with the Global Empowerment Mission, has raised $4.5 million in funds and distributed $18 million in personal protective equipment (PPE). That includes “1) 1,881,780 units of Protective Equipment (PPE) to Frontline Workers (risking their lives to save OURS). 2) Distribution amongst: 20+ states. 3) Distribution to: 185 facilities including, but not limited to: Hospitals & Clinics; Police & Fire Depts; Nursing Departments; Funeral Homes; State Health Departments; Military Bases. 4) Distributed 20K #coronakits nationwide including: hand sanitizer, immunity & hydration boosts, sanitization wipes, gloves, masks, & medical info. #BSTRONG thanks YOU for: Donating your hard earned money, spreading the message, raising awareness, communicating to us about those in need, motivating us when we are overwhelmed. We LOVE you and thank you! Special thanks to: Jill Fritzo, Michael Capponi, Sue Cushman, Crystal Lee, Jay Park MDS. And all of our warehouse warriors who are fighting the fight,” Frankel explained in a post on her Instagram page.
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BStrong, in partnership with the Global Empowerment Mission, has raised $4.5 million in funds and distributed $18 million in personal protective equipment (PPE). (Photo: www.instagram.com) |
The BStrong team recently arranged a delivery of N95 masks, surgical masks and full body protective suits locally to Stony Brook University Hospital, Stony Brook Southampton and Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital. Through the recently formed BStrong and Global Empowerment Mission alliance, BStrong GEM, 2,000 KN95 masks, 2,000 surgical masks and 500 biohazard hazmat water resistant full body protective suits were supplied to Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital. The donation was made in conjunction with The Joel Foundation – Billy and Alexis Joel. BStrong GEM also procured 2,000 surgical masks and 1,000 KN95 masks for Stony Brook University Hospital and Stony Brook Southampton.
The entrepreneur and philanthropist founded the disaster relief initiative in 2017 to offer emergency assistance to those in crisis. Since it was established, BStrong has contributed vital supplies and funding to Puerto Rico after Hurricanes Maria and Irma, California following the wildfires, Mexico City after an earthquake, Florida following Hurricane Michael, North Carolina after Hurricane Florence, and many more.
Global Empowerment Mission, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2011, is dedicated “to empowering people struck with tragedy by providing emergency aid, cash cards, food and housing; providing quality education, diverse vocational training and job creation to people in third world countries such as Haiti. The objective is for people in developing countries to have a self-sufficient and sustainable economy, ultimately eliminating their dependency on foreign aid.”
For more information, visit www.bethenny.com. www.globalempowermentmission.org.
