Aboff’s Gives More Than 4000 Masks

Commercial painters have long used N95 respirator masks so they don’t breathe in aerosolized paint fumes and sanding particles. Now, in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, health workers are in desperate need for these face protectors to keep them safe. The Long Island State Veterans Home at Stony Brook University and Stony Brook Southampton Hospital, both on the front lines of fighting the novel coronavirus, will benefit from the generosity of the Aboff family, owners of Aboff’s paint stores, who after combing their stores for these supplies, are helping to meet the need donation needs at both institutions.

“The donation was a lifesaver,” said Long Island State Veterans Home Executive Director Fred Sganga. “Securing personal protective equipment for my staff has been our number one priority. We refuse to send our staff into battle without the proper protection. Aboff’s stepped up to the plate when we needed it the most.”

Sganga is a neighbor of Rod Aboff, who after the two spoke, offered to send personal protective equipment materials to the Long Island State Veterans Home.

Aboff’s paint stores donated 1040 masks and 133 Tyvek suits and pairs of painters’ booties. An additional 3200 masks were given to Stony Brook Southampton Hospital.

“We’ve been part of the community since 1929 and we wanted to give back to the community that’s been supporting us over the past 90 years,” said Matthew Aboff.

“Aboff’s paint strores and the Aboff family are the quintessential community-minded business for which Long Island is known,” said Stony Brook Southampton Hospital Chief Development Officer Steven M. Bernstein. “They are a strong presence in the Village of Southampton and our hospital is thrilled to have their generous support of personal protection equipment at this critical time.”

rmurphy@indyeastend.com