Long Beach's Harvey Weisenberg donates $10K to Red Cross

The American Red Cross on Long Island recognized the Harvey and Ellen Weisenberg Special Needs Foundation of Long Beach, for its pledge of $10,000 to support military members, veterans and their families. With this commitment, the Weisenberg Special Needs Foundation helps ensure the organization can be there for U.S. military and their families anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“The military care for the health and safety of everyone. They are having difficult times and need more support. It is important to have more people feel comfortable in protecting and serving this country. These are special people who have needs we can and should support,” said Harvey Weisenberg, founder of the foundation. “Long Beach is a small city, a city of love. On behalf of the people of Long Beach and of our foundation, we are proud to support the Red Cross as they support these important families.”

For about 140 years, the Red Cross has helped veterans and their families from the day they enlist, throughout their military careers and long after they return home. The Red Cross is the only organization chartered by Congress to furnish volunteer aid to the sick and wounded in armies during times of war and the only organization congressionally chartered to keep military members and their families connected during personal emergencies. Stateside, the network of about 230 chapters provides care and support, including services at veterans’ hospitals across the country. Red Cross staff is embedded on more than 35 military installations overseas, ranging from deployment zones to military hospitals.

“We are so grateful to Harvey and to the Harvey and Ellen Weisenberg Special Needs Foundation for his generous support of military families and the Red Cross Mission. Harvey has dedicated a lifetime of service to helping people. His kindness is an inspiration,” said Stacey Sweet, vice-chair of American Red Cross on Long Island Board of Directors.

“Every day across America, brave men and women answer our nation’s call to serve in the United States Armed Forces,” said Jose Dominguez, chapter CEO of American Red Cross on Long Island. “We cannot erase these difficulties, but we can ensure that service members, veterans and their families never face them alone, thanks to the support of partners like the Harvey and Ellen Weisenberg Special Needs Foundation.” 

The Weisenberg Special Needs Foundation is a non-profit, IRS-approved organization that provides a unique resource for people all over the country, and advocates for people with special needs, their families and caregivers. The foundation is the brainchild of Harvey and Ellen Weisenberg, whose beloved son, Ricky, who recently passed away, was born with developmental disabilities. Harvey Weisenberg was a New York State Assemblyman for 25 years. He and Ellen formed this nonprofit to serve people who, like Ricky, live with disabilities, as well as their parents and caregivers. The Weisenberg Foundation is also an advocacy organization that advocates for people who have no voice. For more information, visit HarveyAndEllenWeisenberg.com.

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, visit RedCross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow them on social media.