The Staten Island Chamber of Commerce joined David & Co., the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation (SIEDC), the Office of Borough President Vito Fossella, and Staten Island Performing Provider System (SIPPS) on October 29 to highlight programs supporting Staten Island veterans ahead of Veterans Day.
Held at David & Co. on Veterans Road, the event marked the return of the store’s annual Suits for Veterans initiative, now in its third year, while also raising awareness of the Chamber’s VETS Discount Program and other resources available to local veterans.
Staten Island Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Linda Baran opened the event by thanking David Rabinowitz, owner of David & Co., and the participating organizations.
“Our veterans sacrifice a lot for us,” Baran said. “This is a nice program that helps veterans with job interviews, with being ready and being prepared. It’s really important that the community give back and make sure they know they are appreciated.”
Rabinowitz announced that the annual suit drive will run from November 8 through November 14. Community members are encouraged to donate gently used suits at David & Co., 2955 Veterans Road West, or Tuxedo World, 2791 Richmond Avenue.
Donated suits will support veterans through the Tunnel to Towers Foundation and local veterans programs.
“I’m in the business of helping guys look good and dress nice and feel good, so I know how important it is to see what a suit can do for someone’s confidence,” Rabinowitz said. “For our veterans, I think this is the smallest, easiest thing we can do to give back to them.”
SIEDC President and CEO Michael Cusick praised Rabinowitz and the local business community for continuing to support Staten Island veterans. “David is an example of Staten Island business and business owners always giving back to our fellow Islanders, our fellow neighbors and our residents,” Cusick said.
Cusick also highlighted the VETS Discount Program, which connects veterans and active-duty military members with participating Staten Island businesses offering special discounts. “A little discount here and there helps our veterans,” Cusick said. “That’s what Staten Island is all about.”
Borough President Vito Fossella spoke about the borough’s strong connection to its veteran community. “Staten Island is veteran country,” Fossella said. “We appreciate what they’ve done. We try to honor them and pay tribute to them every chance we get, and this is a wonderful and creative way to do it.”
Chris Dowling, Social Care Network Advisor at SIPPS, discussed the importance of collaboration in connecting Staten Islanders with services and resources. “This is a great example of how we can help different sections of our population, in this case, veterans,” Dowling said. “It all comes together in a beautiful way that we as a community here on Staten Island find different ways and methodologies to help each other.”
Michael Matthews, Director of Veterans Programs at SIPPS, highlighted the work of the Staten Island Service Member and Veterans Task Force and other efforts to connect veterans with support, programs and community. “I can’t thank you enough, David, for the collaboration,” Matthews said.
Baran closed by encouraging Staten Islanders to participate in the suit drive and support veterans throughout the year. “I think you can see here the community coming together to support our vets here on Staten Island,” Baran said.
The Chamber’s VETS Discount Program operates year-round, connecting local veterans and active-duty military members with participating businesses offering discounts in recognition of their service.