Category: News

Pictured: Eric Kugler (left), Manager, Gershow’s Brooklyn facility, is joined by members of the FDNY after an extrication drill at the department’s 150th Summer Block Party in Brooklyn on September 12.In support of local firefighters, Gershow Recycling donated the use of a vehicle to the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) for an extrication practice drill during the FDNY’s 150th Summer Block Party in front of Engine 231/Ladder 120 in Brooklyn on September 12.

Those in attendance saw firefighters performing an extrication drill using the ”Jaws of Life” to remove a ”victim” from a ”crash.” Gershow has donated the use of its vehicles to numerous fire departments in the metropolitan New York area and has hosted firefighters, Emergency Medical Service technicians and first responders at its locations for extrication exercises, mass casualty drills and Urban Search and Rescue training exercises.

In addition to the extrication exercise, the FDNY provided games, food, music and fun for the entire family. Attendees also learned about the formation and the rich history of the FDNY.

Gershow Recycling was honored at The Daniel Brooks Memorial Education Awards for Students with Cancer ceremony on July 29 for its ongoing involvement with “Can Tabs for Kids,” a program that raises money for the Sunrise Fund at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital in the fight against childhood cancer. Gershow Manager Jonathan Abrams represented the company at the event, which was held at the Charles Wang Center at Stony Brook University.

As part of the Can Tabs for Kids program, local schools, organizations and municipalities bring in aluminum tabs from soft drinks and pet food cans and place them in collection bins. Throughout the year, the bags are taken out of the bins and brought to Gershow, where the contents are weighed and recycled. Since Can Tabs for Kids has been established, more than $6,500 has been raised. All of the money raised went to the Sunrise Fund at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital, an organization that raises awareness and funds for specific projects to assist local families.

According to the American Childhood Cancer Organization, cancer is the second-leading cause of death among children between the ages of 4 and 14; almost 2,000 children will die of cancer this year in the United States.

The Daniel Brooks Memorial Education Awards are given each year to students who have graduated from the Pediatric Oncology program at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital and are pursuing post-high school education or training. The award was established in memory of Daniel Brooks, a Port Jefferson resident who completed treatment for leukemia at Stony Brook University Medical Center. He went on to obtain a degree in Special Education then returned to the medical center, where he played a significant role in the development of the School Intervention and Re-Entry Program, which transitions children with cancer back to the classroom following treatment. Sadly, Mr. Brooks’ life was tragically cut short in a motor vehicle accident. Since its inception in 2003, one hundred six patients have received 287 awards totaling $218,000.

The Patchogue Lions Club held its fifteenth annual “Christmas in June” event on Thursday, June 25 at Boomer’s Family Fun Center in Medford. For the tenth consecutive year, as part of its ongoing community service, Gershow Recycling sponsored the event by donating $1,500.

Approximately 145 school children from seven elementary schools in the Patchogue-Medford School District were chosen to participate in this year’s event by their respective principals. Since the Patchogue Lions Club has started “Christmas in June,” more than 1,500 children have participated in this fun-filled event.

“This was a nice way to give these children an opportunity to have some fun and spend the day with their friends,” said Vito LaMonica, Event Chairman and Past President, Patchogue Lions Club. “It gave the children a place to enjoy themselves, especially with the school year drawing to a close.”

Children were treated to lunch and then given full access for several hours to attractions, including rides, go-carts, wall climbing, bumper boats, and arcade games.

“We were very happy in joining with the Patchogue Lions Club to make this day possible for these children,” said Jonathan Abrams, Manager, Gershow Recycling. “They always have a great time here. With the summer season beginning, the timing couldn’t be better.”

In support of the local community, Gershow Recycling donated the use of a vehicle to Sayville High School’s SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) chapter to help fellow students raise awareness on safe driving.

The junk car was displayed in front of the school during its Graduation Week to show students this is the result of driving while being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, texting or talking on their cell phones. The Sayville SADD chapter thanked Gershow for its assistance and its use of the vehicle.

Gershow Matches $1,086.50 Raised by Students in Fight against Childhood Cancer. Company Praises Students’ Hard Work and Extra Effort

On June 5, Gershow Recycling announced it has pledged to match the $1,086.50 raised by students at William Floyd School District’s elementary schools, Kreamer Street Elementary School in Bellport, Holy Angels Regional School in Patchogue and Our Lady of Mercy Regional School in Cutchogue as part of “Can Tabs for Kids,” a program designed to raise funds for the fight against childhood cancer. The money will go to benefit the Sunrise Fund at Stony Brook University Medical Center, an organization that raises awareness and funds for specific projects to assist local families. Gershow Manager Jonathan Abrams presented the check in the amount of $2,173 during a special assembly at William Floyd Elementary School.

As part of the Can Tabs for Kids program, students brought in aluminum tabs from soft drink and pet food cans that their parents purchased and placed them in collection bins located in their classrooms. Each week, the bags were taken out of the bins and brought to Gershow, where the contents were weighed and recycled. This year, Gershow received over 3 million tabs from the students, weighing a total of 2,173 pounds and worth $1,086.50.

The idea for the program was inspired by Maria Marks, a former William Floyd Elementary School student who was diagnosed with cancer at a young age. Between the ages of two weeks and six months, she underwent numerous chemotherapy sessions. The constant exposure to the radiation resulted in Maria losing her hearing in both ears and now she must wear hearing aids. Her cancer has since been in remission.

The program has since expanded, with participating schools including Kreamer Street Elementary School in Bellport, John S. Hobart Elementary School, Nathaniel Woodhull Elementary School, Holy Angels Regional School in Patchogue, and Our Lady of Mercy School in Cutchogue, as well as St. Jude Parish Outreach in Mastic Beach and Nassau County Girl Scout Troop #2029, Troop #2011 and Troop #2346. Can Tabs for Kids has also been brought to the Towns of Brookhaven, Smithtown and Islip.

The Sunrise Fund was established to raise awareness about childhood cancer and the special needs of such children throughout local communities. The money used by The Sunrise Fund sustains cutting-edge research and family programs such as support groups, a School Re-Entry Program and many others. Since the establishment of this program, more than $6,500 has been raised.

According to the American Childhood Cancer Organization, cancer is the second-leading cause of death among children between the ages of 4 and 14; almost 2,000 children will die of cancer this year in the United States.

“Gershow Recycling is proud to have been part of Can Tabs for Kids,” Mr. Abrams said. “The children surpassed all expectations in their participation in this wonderful program and providing support to their former classmate. We are also glad to have seen this program expand throughout the William Floyd School District, the Towns of Brookhaven, Smithtown and Islip and other schools and organizations as well.”

“We would like to thank Gershow Recycling for their generous support,” said Keith Fasciana, principal of William Floyd Elementary School. “I am also very proud of Maria Marks – who inspired us to start this program – the students who participated in this program and their families, for all their hard work and dedication in collecting over 3 million can tabs.”

In support of local fire departments and the Huntington community, Gershow Recycling donated the use of 30 vehicles for the 8th Annual Chuck Varese Vehicle Extrication Tournament, which was held at the Northport Fire Department’s Training Grounds at Steer’s Pit in Northport on May 9.

Fifteen teams from 10 fire departments in the Town of Huntington, as well as fire departments from North Bellmore, Kings Park and first-time participant Amityville, competed in the tournament. Each team was judged on the amount of time it took to perform the extrication, the handling of equipment and the safety procedures they followed. After the tournament ended, the vehicles were shredded and recycled at Gershow’s facility.

Moved by reports of the Riverhead School District’s Phillips Avenue Elementary School students establishing a food pantry, Gershow Recycling donated $1,000 to support the students’ efforts. The money will go to purchase non-perishable food items and gift cards from local supermarkets for families in need in the Riverhead area. On March 18, Kevin Gershowitz, President, Gershow Recycling, was joined by students from Phillips Avenue Elementary School and local elected officials in presenting the check to Debra Rodgers, Principal, Phillips Avenue Elementary School.

On January 22, as part of a kickoff event to the “Great Kindness Challenge,” the school held a special ceremony announcing the grand opening of its onsite food pantry. On its first day, the pantry assisted 15 families and 71 people. The pantry is currently open every second and fourth Thursday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

“We are proud to provide this donation to the Phillips Avenue Food Pantry and applaud the generous efforts of the school’s students, parents and staff in assisting those families in need here in Riverhead,” Mr. Gershowitz said.

Gershow has nine locations in Brooklyn, New Hyde Park, Valley Stream, Freeport, Lindenhurst, Huntington Station, Bay Shore, Medford and Riverhead. For more information, call (631) 289-6188 or visit www.gershow.com.

On December 3, 2014, members of the Girl Scouts of Nassau County Troop #2029, Troop #2011 and Troop #2346 came to Gershow Recycling’s facility in Valley Stream to drop off 31 pounds of aluminum can tabs they collected over the past year as part of the “Can Tabs for Kids” program to benefit The Sunrise Fund. In addition, the Girl Scouts raised an additional $200 for The Sunrise Fund from a bake sale they recently hosted.

“Can Tabs for Kids” benefits the Sunrise Fund at Stony Brook University Medical Center, an organization that raises awareness and funds for specific projects to assist families with children fighting childhood cancer.

As part of the Can Tabs for Kids program, children bring in aluminum tabs from soft drink and pet food cans that their parents purchased and place them in collection bins. The bags are then taken out of the bins and brought to Gershow, where the contents are weighed and recycled. In addition to the amount paid for the weight of the can tabs, Gershow matches the amount raised.

Can Tabs for Kids began at William Floyd Elementary School in 2011. Maria Marks, a former William Floyd student who was diagnosed with cancer at a young age, was the inspiration for the program. Between the ages of two weeks and six months, she underwent numerous chemotherapy sessions. The constant exposure to the radiation resulted in Maria losing her hearing in both ears and now she must wear hearing aids. Her cancer has since been in remission.

The Girl Scout troops from Valley Stream learned about the program when they were searching for a local charity that they wanted to help. They came across Can Tabs for Kids and decided to take part in the program. The troop members have also learned about recycling and organized many recycling events, which is another reason why they chose Can Tabs for Kids.

Gershow Recycling generously donated materials to the Islip High School catapult team so they could make improvements on their catapult, named the “Jack-O-Splatter.”

Gershow has supplied the team with much-needed replacement parts such as a steel rod and metal bearings to help launch the pumpkins further and more accurately.

The team won its division at the Long Island Championship Pumpkin Fling, which took place at the Suffolk County Farm in Yaphank on October 25, with a distance of 916.7 feet. The team also holds the Long Island record with a distance of 1,049.9 feet.

In showing the team’s appreciation for Gershow’s support, Ken Phalen, coach of the Islip High School Catapult Team, presented a framed photo of the team with an enclosed thank-you message to Gershow Manager Jonathan Abrams.