“Downtown Double” Campaign Returns To Support Frontline Workers And Riverhead Small Businesses

The Riverhead Business Improvement District (BID) and Peconic Bay Medical Center (PBMC) in Riverhead, a member of Northwell Health, are once again joining forces to spearhead another double-impact fundraiser. Like the campaign last spring, the efforts will champion local hospital workers fighting on the frontline and Downtown Riverhead’s small businesses.

Through the “Downtown Double” campaign, donations from the public will be utilized to purchase Riverhead BID’s new “Downtown Dollars” gift cards – which debuted in December 2020. The gift cards will then be distributed through a lottery among employees actively working on the Peconic Bay Medical Center campus to thank essential staff across all departments at the hospital with a delicious meal, or goods and services from participating Riverhead BID district businesses. All nearly 1,500 active employees will be included in the “Downtown Dollars” raffle.

“The heroic work being done by the staff at the Medical Center would not be possible without the generous support from our community,” said Amy Loeb, Executive Director of Peconic Bay Medical Center. “We are thankful for all those who participate in programs like this to support our healthcare heroes.”

In the spring of 2020, the BID and PBMC launched the inaugural “Downtown Double” efforts, which raised $32,911 and in turn purchased 658 fifty-dollar gift cards from downtown restaurants. Gift cards were distributed to hospital employees through a lottery process.

“Downtown businesses have shown tremendous resiliency during this pandemic and the support of our community has made an invaluable positive impact,” stated Steven Shauger, Riverhead Business Improvement District President. “Downtown Riverhead is looking to come out of this stronger than ever, and The Downtown Double Fundraiser provides the perfect platform for community members to support both our frontline essential workers, and also the business owners that make Downtown Riverhead the great place that it is.”

Shauger, along with Riverhead BID Executive Director Kristy Verity, Peconic Bay Medical Center Foundation Special Gift Officer Darrien Garay, and Peconic Bay Medical Center Foundation Advisor Maureen Brady-Curzio, are helming the project.

So far, “Downtown Dollars” can be used at Craft’d, Cucina 25, Dark Horse Restaurant, East End Arts & Humanities Council, Inc., Hyatt Place Long Island / East End, Jerry and The Mermaid, Long Island Aquarium, Montauk Distilling Co., North Fork Brewing Company, River Walk Bar & Grille, Riverhead Vacuum and Sewing Center, Robert James Salon, Shadees Jamaican Takeout, Sunny’s Riverhead Diner & Grill, Taqueria Cielito Lindo, The Preston House and Hotel, and Tweed’s Restaurant.

The fundraising efforts are already off to a great start as The Richard & Mary Morrison Foundation has generously donated $10,000. “In this historic crisis in America, it is imperative to honor, applaud and show our deep appreciation to our frontline heroes and angels,” explained Richard and Mary Morrison. “Respectfully, we thank them from the bottom of our hearts.” The Foundation also contributed $5,000 to the 2020 campaign.

For every $5,000 raised, 100 gift cards will be distributed.

To contribute to the “Downtown Double” campaign, visit www.downtownriverhead.org.