A registered nurse and U.S. Marine is going above and beyond to help the homeless during the pandemic.
Andy Garabedian, who works for Northwell Health, was once homeless for three years after returning from serving as a U.S. Marine.
"Being homeless is dark - it is probably one of the most awful feelings you could ever have," he says. "To be without hope…it robs you of yourself."
Through the kindness of others, Garabedian says he was able to get his life back on track. He went back to school and became a registered nurse.
After finishing a 12-hour shift taking care of COVID-19 patients in April, he decided to take a ride into Manhattan. He says the amount of people in need he saw there was heartbreaking.
"Some people didn't even have shoes, and it was cold and it was wet - I was like, 'I can't believe this,'" he says. "At that point, I knew I wanted to give back."
The next day, Garabedian was back in New York City delivering food and supplies.
"I know how hard it has to be from that perspective, you throw in a pandemic and I couldn't even imagine what that would be like," he says.
With help from co-worker Donna Scheich and other volunteers, Garabedian is now handing out meals and clothing to homeless people in New York City and across Long Island.
Garabedian started the nonprofit organization Aggregate Hearts. He says he plans on delivering hope to those in need as long as hope is needed.
"need" - Google News
December 29, 2020 at 06:17AM
https://ift.tt/34PYhpp
Formerly homeless US Marine creates nonprofit to help communities in need - News 12 Long Island
"need" - Google News
https://ift.tt/3c23wne
https://ift.tt/2YsHiXz
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Formerly homeless US Marine creates nonprofit to help communities in need - News 12 Long Island"
Post a Comment