Thousands Dress Down for United Way

Recently 5,000 Long Islanders went casual and ‘dressed down’ in support of military families as part of United Way of Long Island’s first LIVE UNITED Dress Down Day event.   

Over $60,000 was raised during LIVE UNITED Dress Down Day, which benefits military personnel (both active and reservists) and struggling families on Long Island.  Bethpage Federal Credit Union kicked off this effort by offering the shirts at the Jones Beach Air Show during Memorial Day Weekend and was the largest participant, raising nearly $25,000.  More than 50 companies participated that day and included: Adelphi, Arrow Exterminating, CA Technologies, Congressman Tim Bishop’s Office, Food Authority, Garfunkel Wild, PC, Local 338 RWDSU, Long Island Radio Group, National Grid, Rivkin Radler, Suffolk Transportation Service, Teachers Federal Credit Union, Telephonics, and YMCA Long Island.  See the complete list of participating organizations.

New York has the most consecutive National Guard activations in the country since September 11, 2001. Military personnel – active duty and reservists – are forced to leave their families behind, overwhelmed by little or no income and myriad other personal stresses. When discharged, they return home faced with physical, emotional and financial struggles as they transition back into civilian employment.

United Way of Long Island helps to address the unmet needs of families fragmented by war who cannot afford to maintain Long Island’s high cost of living on a military salary. United Way provides support to military families in need of child care, food, mortgage, utility bills, and mental health counseling. It additionally supports nonprofit organizations that address setbacks faced by soldiers such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.