EmblemHealth, one of the
nation’s largest not-for-profit
health insurers announced
they participated in a joint
toy giveaway and flu clinic
in partnership with Medly
Pharmacy, a full-service,
digital pharmacy that offers
free same-day prescription
delivery, the NYC Housing
Authority (NYCHA), and
NYPD Police Service Area 7
(PSA 7) on Saturday, December
19. The groups aimed to
alleviate some of the hardships
Bronx families have
experienced this year by
providing direct access to
flu shots and an opportunity
to give their children new
toys this holiday season.
The event, “Cops Who
Saved Christmas’’, took
place on Melrose Avenue in
The Bronx and NYPD PSA 7
where new, unwrapped toys
were given away to more
than 1,500 residents in need,
which have been graciously
donated by the Toys for Tots
program. Police handed
out the toys dressed in holiday
costumes and offered a
chance for the community’s
youth to talk with local officers
who work to keep their
streets safe. NYPD blocked
off Melrose Avenue so that
safe social distancing measures
were maintained, and
masks were required. Flu
vaccines were also offered
through Medly and EmblemHealth.
As the country sets
daily records for COVID-19
hospitalizations, business
closures and layoffs leave
millions of people newly
unemployed — especially
in The Bronx, which has
the highest unemployment
rate of any county in the
state and more than 60%
of residents on Medicaid.
Families in The Bronx are
BRONX TIMES R 26 EPORTER, JAN. 1-7, 2021
struggling to put food on
the table, and local leaders
recognize that many are
unable to take preventative
health measures and provide
toys for their kids this
holiday season.
This is not the first time
Medly and EmblemHealth
have taken a stand in their
local communities to address
disadvantaged residents.
The partners put on
three successful flu vaccination
events targeting underserved
populations during
this flu season. The last
event was done in partnership
with The Campaign
Against Hunger, where they
gave away 1,000 turkeys and
holiday foods ahead of the
Thanksgiving holiday.
“Bronx families have
been disproportionately
affected by COVID-19, and
there’s a long list of consequences
that come with
that, including a holiday
season that may look much
different than the year’s
past,” said George Hulse,
EmblemHealth Vice President
and Senior Advisor
to the CEO. “I am proud to
stand by local leaders in not
only influencing more positive
health outcomes in our
communities but spreading
the spirit and giving and
care during a time when it’s
needed most.”
BRONX L I F E – BRONX LE ADERS
“Cops Who Saved Christmas” give back to The Bronx community
EmblemHealth, Medly Pharmacy, NYC Housing Authority, and NYPD PSA 7 Team Up for Toy Giveaway and Flu Shot Event
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