CIANJ Commerce Magazine June 2020 | Page 10

■ President’s View Richard Abramson, a member of Cole Schotz P.C., who chairs the CIANJ board Continued From Page 6 When asked, the donors invariably said they contributed because they felt compelled. Many had personal motivations too, like Ray Shupak of Techminds, whose son is a doctor and Joe Imperato Jr. of XSolutions, whose mother and wife are both nurses. Bernie Leone of Withum said so many of his family and friends work at Hackensack University Medical Center, he immediately wanted to contribute. Leone was particularly struck by stories from a cousin who was reassigned from radiology to the morgue at the height of the surge. “Every step of the way, there’s Meals for Bergen New Bridge Medical Center in Paramus unbelievable amounts of pressure (for healthcare workers),” Leone said. “This is just a small token of appreciation.” It was a simple decision for Todd Galante of Piro, Zinna, Cifelli, Paris & Genitempo, LLC. “In times of crisis, you’ve got to come together and do all you can to help.” Mani Subrahmanyam of Techminds said: “These frontline workers are helping so many with their lives at risk. This is the least we could. So, we did. It’s nothing and never enough for what they have been doing in this pandemic.” Madeleine Robinson, president of LPS Industries, said seeing the devastation the virus Meals for Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack causes in human suffering and economic loss of jobs “as a business owner, it just rips your heart out.” She considers herself fortunate that her manufacturing plant can keep its doors open and fully staffed. “This is my little way of trying to be supportive.” When CIANJ organized the meal drive, Imperato said he felt more inclined to give because the business association was enveloping all its members in the outreach. He said: “It felt right to do something local, in our area and touching other members. It made me feel more in touch with the CIANJ member base.” 8 COMMERCE www. commercemagnj.com