Coronavirus: Winery Owner Donates $100K To Long Island Hospital

GREENPORT, NY — A North Fork winery owner is the latest big donor to help Stony Brooke Eastern Long Island Hospital respond to the new coronavirus outbreak. The hospital announced Randy Frankel's $100,000 donation on Monday night.

Frankel owns Shinn Estate and Croteaux Vineyards in Southold and is a minority owner in the Tampa Bay Rays major league baseball team.

In a press release, Frankel said he knew little of Long Island's medical resources, but began researching after reading a new article on the first COVID-19 case in North Fork. That's when he learned about the Long Island hospital's history.

“It became personal to me,” Frankel said. “I’ve met so many nice local people that have made a difference in my life and added value; I wanted to do something to help the community where I spend a lot of my time now."

The donation will go towards the Eastern Long Island Hospital Foundation’s COVID-19 Action Fund to help purchase medical equipment and support hospital staff.

“As the community knows, our patients are often our neighbors, our friends, our family members— it’s personal,” Paul J. Connor III, the hospital's chief administrative officer, said. “We are proud to call Mr. Frankel a member of our community, and we can’t thank him enough for this contribution that will provide tremendous support for our hospital.”

The Long Island hospital has seen many donors step up to support COVID-19 efforts.

A couple on the hospital foundation's board donated a piece of equipment that tests six samples in 45 minutes. The week before, a respiratory therapist on staff bought a $10,000 breathing system and donated it to the hospital.

A North Fork volunteering group, Kait's Angels, have sewn and donated more than 1,000 masks to the hospital staff as well. Another 1,000 masks are on the way.

For more information on donating to the Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital's COVID-19 efforts, call (631) 477-5164 or email elih_donations@stonybrookmedicine.edu.