Unitex Sends Emergency Aid to Houston, Florida

Posted September 14, 2017 at 6:06 pm

Unitex, Elmsford, NY, is doing its part to help the victims of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma with donated pads for displaced animals and healthcare garments for a team of Long Island healthcare professionals who are heading to Houston to relieve doctors and nurses at the city’s premier cancer center, according to a news release.

Regarding the pads for pets in need, Unitex is partnering with John Iannuzzi, the founder of the Shelter and Rescue Partnership. Iannuzzi provided similar help for displaced animals during the Hurricane Katrina crisis in 2005, and he’s concerned that Houston poses even bigger challenges for his organization. “I was helping out locally for about three weeks with both humanitarian and animal response after Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans,” Iannuzzi said. “Sadly, the situation in Houston and surrounding areas is much worse. This hurricane has affected more than 15 million people and 4 million animals.” Iannuzzi expects to provide assistance in Florida as well, and he thanks Unitex for its support. “We are grateful to Unitex for the quick response to help us in a time of need and are thankful for the 500,000 pads they have donated to our organization to date.”

For Houston, Unitex plants in Mt. Vernon, NY; and New Brunswick and Linden, NJ; have donated 3,000 pads for donation to local shelters for displaced animals in greater Houston. Iannuzzi is likely to distribute additional pads to shelters in areas of Florida affected by Hurricane Irma.

As noted above, Unitex also is outfitting a medical team from Northwell Health that left its base in Long Island, NY, to help fellow medical professionals in the Houston area. Unitex has donated scrubs to this group to help with their effort. “We are beyond devastated with what is going on in Houston and in Florida,” said David Potack, president of Unitex. “In a time of need like this, it’s crucial for everyone to come together and lend a helping hand, not only for people, but animals too. For years, Unitex has worked with John and the Shelter and Rescue Partnership, and we admire what he does in these tough situations. The same applies to the team at Northwell Health and others who are taking a stand to do the right thing for those in need. We are happy to be a part of that, always.”

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