Since 2005, Stony Brook University’s Alternative Spring Break Outreach (ASBO) has offered students a way to use their time off to come to the aid of others, such as traveling to communities ravaged by natural disaster. This year, however, as the COVID-19 pandemic swept the world, ASBO took on a different mission: It partnered with two campus fraternities — Phi Delta Epsilon and Iota Nu Delta — to raise money for hospitals in need of personal protective equipment (PPE).

The reason was simple:

“This pandemic has made a huge impact not only on the ICU, emergency rooms, and other facilities in hospitals but also in pediatrics where many children have underlying health problems that compromise their immune systems,” said Kiran Sharma ’21, Phi Delta Epsilon secretary.

Through social media, they created a COVID-19 “This or That” Challenge Fundraiser in which participants built a castle out of cards, engaged in an ice bucket challenge, took part in a blindfolded makeup challenge, made a TikTok video, and went on an alphabet scavenger hunt.

A total of $4,500 was raised, “more than nine times our original goal of $500,” said Rhea Manjrekar, ASBO public relations coordinator, who added that Children’s Miracle Network was one of the organizations chosen because “ASBO’s values strongly align with those of that organization.

“It was amazing to see both the Stony Brook community and those outside of it come together virtually to help support a cause and make a difference! I felt a sense of solidarity, and it touched my heart,” said Michelle Hartmann ’21, ASBO fundraising chair.

“As ASBO is a service-learning organization, it is our mission not only to give back where we can but to truly understand and empathize with the communities we are working with. Devoting spring break to volunteer is truly amazing, but it is important to understand that we are privileged to even have the opportunity to do so,” said Manjrekar.

Read the full story: Student Groups Use Spring Break to Help Hospitals Get PPE | | SBU News

The outpouring of support from community members for Stony Brook Medicine has been profound. In response, Stony Brook University Hospital launched a Meal Train platform in early April, and contributions have now exceeded 10,000 meals and snacks that have been donated and distributed.

“I think I can speak for everyone,” said Kevin Daly, Catering Manager at Stony Brook Medicine, “when I give a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to all who have contributed.”

The Meal Train system makes donating food to the workers and medical staff safer, easier, and more time-efficient.

“When a friend is in need, everyone asks, ‘What can I do to help?’ The answer is always to provide support through a meal,” said Daly. By using MealTrain.com, the donor picks a day, pledges a donation for a meal, and orders it through a restaurant of their choice. The food is then delivered. This benefits local restaurants as well, which have been hit hard during this crisis. 

Stony Brook Hospital is at the center of this pandemic for the greater Long Island community. Donating food lets our essential workers know their community stands by them and recognizes the hard work they are doing.

Donations are being accepted for the month of December. For more information, please go to Donate via Meal Train.

Stony Brook University collected over 112,506 lbs. of e-waste throughout RecycleMania, earning its place as the winner of the competition in that category, for total amount recycled. The e-waste collected is the trash generated from surplus, broken, and obsolete electronic devices such as cellphones and computers.

“It’s easier to trash an old TV rather than process it to be recycled. So taking the top spot in the electronic waste category is especially satisfying as it once again shows that Seawolves always strive to do the right thing, even when it may be difficult to do,” stated Dean Tufts, Vice President for Facilities and Services.

Recycling e-waste reuses parts and materials while preventing components from ending up in landfills where they can contaminate water, soil and air. “Under the leadership of our Recycling and Resource Management, Property Control, Stony Brook Medicine, and the Faculty Student Association, it’s so rewarding to be a part of a campus community that cares enough to take action,” affirmed Tufts.

Stony Brook University was a leader in other areas of the competition, including being in the top 15% of colleges and universities nationwide for both the Food Organics and Per Capita Classic categories.

Read the full story: SBU is First Place Winner in E-Waste Category of RecycleMania Competition | | SBU