Lawrence-based Achiezer receives $5,000 grant

The Achiezer Community Resource Center in Lawrence was given a $5,000 grant from the  Empire BlueCross BlueShield Foundation that State Sen. Todd Kaminsky, a Democrat who represents the Five Towns, helped to attain.

“Senator Kaminsky has shown us time and again his willingness to be there for the community in anticipating the needs and stepping up and assisting whenever necessary,” Rabbi Boruch Bender, founder and president of Achiezer, said in a news release. “We are truly grateful.”

Used to purchase personal protective equipment for donor plasma and antibody testing blood drive efforts, the money was awarded to support the work Achiezer is doing to help during the coronavirus pandemic.

“Achiezer is a pillar of the Five Towns, providing a myriad of crisis management and support services to the community,” Kaminsky stated in the release. “I was pleased to work in partnership with Empire BlueCross BlueShield to provide this grant to help fight the pandemic in our community. Day in and day out, Achiezer and Rabbi Bender have been on the front lines of the Covid-19, and I am confident these funds will further the organization's incredible work.”

Founded more than 10 years ago, Achiezer offers a broad spectrum services  and serves as a  crisis management organization. From delivering meals to making hospital arrangements to providing financial counseling, the organization Achiezer has been at the forefront of battling the pandemic in the Five Towns.

“Meeting the health needs of the whole person is critical to fulfilling Empire's mission of materially and measurably improving the health of all New Yorkers,” stated Alan Murray, president of Empire BlueCross BlueShield. “That’s why it was important for us to support Achiezer, which provides a comprehensive set of services to meet the varying needs of individuals and families in times of crisis.”