The Marcum Foundation, the charitable giving arm of one of the nation’s largest accounting firms, and BurgerFi, the better-burger restaurant group, extended their initiative to feed healthcare heroes on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic to include Eden II Programs serving people with autism. The meals for staff and residents of seven Eden II group homes on Staten Island and Long Island, New York, today completes the national Marcum-BurgerFi healthcare heroes program. The joint effort provided nearly 20,000 meals to COVID-19 frontline workers at more than 60 hospitals in 14 states in 17 days.
BurgerFi is a popular restaurant destination for the Anderson family, whose adult son, Evan, resides at an Eden II group home on Staten Island. Since BurgerFi is Evan’s all-time favorite meal, the family’s appeal to Marcum resulted in a quick decision to extend the healthcare heroes initiative to the staff and residents of all seven Eden II residential facilities on Staten Island and Long Island.
“It was an easy decision to include Eden II in our healthcare heroes program. COVID-19 has been a true hardship for everyone in group residential communities of all kinds, as the quarantine prevented families from visiting for weeks and new health protocols put extra stress on staff and residents alike. It was a great joy to be able to put smiles on everyone’s faces,” says Shaun Blogg, chairman of the Marcum Foundation and West Palm Beach office managing partner at Marcum LLP.
“We’re so grateful for our healthcare heroes who’ve been working tirelessly to protect our communities throughout COVID-19. The pandemic has challenged us in so many ways, but it has absolutely showed us the strength and dedication of our front-line workers, and our partnership with Marcum has allowed us to show our appreciation by providing them with delicious BurgerFi meals. We’re so glad to be extending the effort to serve the Eden II residences,” adds Kevin Cooper, BurgerFi director of Leadership and Development, who served as project manager for the collaboration.
“We are deeply appreciative of Marcum and BurgerFi’s willingness to treat our staff and residents to these amazing burger meals. It was a genuine bright spot for everyone, and we greatly appreciate the kindness,” says Eden II’s Executive Director, Dr. Joanne Gerenser.
“When I saw the Marcum Foundation in my local BurgerFi donating meals to frontline workers, I immediately thought of all the hardworking staff from my son’s group home. It made me so happy to hear Marcum and BurgerFi were donating food for all of Eden II’s incredible group home staff and participants. My son loves BurgerFi, and I know it made his day,” says Evan’s mom, Lauren Baker-Anderson.
