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MEDIA CONTACT: Marley Gleason

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Buffalo, N.Y. – Today a collection of 15 Western New York-based construction companies announced their partnership in support of the Warm Up WNY drive. First launched by NYS Senator Tim Kennedy, the initiative collects new blankets for children at Oishei Children’s Hospital (OCH), and this year the coalition is contributing to hit a 10,000 donated blankets goal in 2020.

Building on the impact they made in previous years, Arc Building Partners is again leading the coalition of construction companies and encouraging more WNY contractors to get involved and donate new blankets to provide comfort to children who visit the hospital to confront illnesses and health challenges.

“Blankets comfort children facing frightening situations in more ways than one,” said Frank L. Ciminelli II, president of Arc Building Partners. “When one of our children was rushed to the hospital several years ago, our family saw firsthand how blankets not only provide warmth and comfort, but also relieve a child’s anxiety and ease the stress of a short- or long-term hospital stay.”

“Once again, local construction leaders have gone above and beyond to help us take care of our region’s most vulnerable kids. When my office first launched the #WarmUpWNY Blanket Drive to benefit Oishei Children's Hospital, we knew the response would be generous, but we were truly blown away by the kindness and compassion of the people and businesses who call the City of Good Neighbors home,” said Senator Tim Kennedy. “One blanket may seem like a small lift, but it has an incredible impact on the life of a child who is anxious about the unexpected that awaits. Thanks to Arc Building Partners and the coalition of Western New York construction companies taking part, we’re one step closer to our goal of collecting 10,000 blankets this year for pediatric patients at OCH.”

The Warm Up WNY drive, which encourages the use of the hashtag #WarmUpWNY on social media, has helped spark increased awareness of the need for new blankets for children at OCH. Since its start in 2016, the drive has donated more than 30,000 blankets.

All of the blanket supplies at OCH are donated by the community, local businesses, and nonprofit organizations. Every year supplies begin to run low, which means the community’s support is needed to donate more.

“A blanket can make all of the difference in the world, and we again need more to make sure every child who visits Oishei Children’s Hospital receives a blanket to help them through their stay,” said Ciminelli. “I’m grateful for everyone coming together again to make that happen.”

“So many of us know the difficult experience of seeing one of our children, or the child of a friend or family member, in the hospital. Just imagine how frightening it must be for children,” said Michael Modrzynski, president of Allied Mechanical, Inc. “Donating a blanket — or many blankets — will provide some comfort and relief to children and families at a time of great need.”

“All of our companies are known for building things, and now we’re trying to build up our community with the WarmUp WNY drive,” said Donald V. Brown Jr., president of D.V. Brown and Associates. “This year’s goal of 10,000 blankets will take a community effort, and by working together, I’m confident Buffalo and Western New York can get the job done.”

“To get a big construction project done on time, it takes collaboration among many contractors. The same is true for a big project like Warm Up WNY. We’re excited to work alongside this coalition of contractors to deliver for children and families served by Oishei Children’s Hospital,” said Kevin G. Biddle, president of Mader Construction Company.

Blankets must be new due to the threat of infectious disease. Many children at OCH deal with weakened immune systems, so used blankets cannot be accepted since they could be carrying potentially harmful germs.

While this alliance of construction industry leaders is specifically focused on encouraging local contractors and businesses to get involved, the entire community can still drop off blankets at OCH or Senator Kennedy’s office through the end of March.

About Arc Building Partners
Arc Building Partners is a full-service project delivery firm focused on complex, fast-track deliveries serving private and commercial clients in numerous vertical sectors, locally, regionally and nationally. As part of its suite of professional services, Arc offers delivery types such as construction management and design-build. To learn more, visit http://www.arcbuildingpartners.com/.