Thank You Letter to Executive Bellone & the HIA-LI

Hauppauge, NY: Disasters, while trying, can bring out the best in a community. We saw this immediately after the events on September 11th, 2001, during the recovery days of Superstorm Sandy and we see it today during the COVID-19 outbreak. 2020 and 2021 saw neighbors, community leaders, nonprofits and government, banding together in innovative ways to strengthen our response, fight the virus and protect our most at-risk populations while forging new relationships and paths forward. This spirit was exemplified in the planning and implementation of the “HIA-LI & IgniteLI Vaccination Program for Suffolk County Manufacturing Employees”, hosted and administered by Suffolk County. IgniteLI pauses to thank Executive Steve Bellone and HIA-LI President & CEO Terri Alessi-Miceli for their collaboration, cooperation, and enthusiasm in serving Long Island’s manufacturing community, and we applaud the frontline workers and county employees that administered the operation.

Between April 7th-April 9th, 2021, 1,585 first dose vaccinations were given to manufacturing employees in an effort to protect essential employees across all manufacturing sectors. “Given the nature of manufacturing, virtual work was not an option for employees who operate technical machinery and make the products necessary to our countries response,” said Patrick Boyle, Executive Director of IgniteLI. He went on to say, “Manufacturing answered the call by converting our shop floors to produce PPE, ventilators, drugs, and vaccines. I want to thank Terri, Steve, and all the first responders/frontline workers for understanding that manufacturing employees are by necessity, gathered to continue their critical work, and while CDC/OSHA guidelines were followed, there are always risks.” He said.

IgniteLI Member InvaGen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. said, “our manufacturing employees were very happy to experience a seamless path to receiving the COVID vaccination at the H. Lee Dennison Building. The employees commented that the onsite staff was helpful, and the flow of the vaccination dispensation process was easy to follow.” InvaGen Executives went on to say, “InvaGen appreciates community partners like HIA-LI and IgniteLI for making COVID vaccinations a priority and providing resources to support the safety, health, and wellbeing of our workforce.”

Championing the call from manufacturing, HIA-LI made the appeal with IgniteLI to Suffolk County government, calling for a dedicated day of vaccinations for manufacturing employees, County Executive Steve Bellone heard that call and offered three days of vaccinations at the H. Lee Dennison Building resulting in a total of 1,585 employees walking out with their first dose and follow up appointment.

Our community showed its best colors through cooperation and collaboration in the face of the disastrous COVID Pandemic. IgniteLI again extends the gratitude of Long Island’s manufacturing community to Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, HIA-LI President & CEO Terri Alessi-Miceli, and the region’s first responders/front line workers.