NEW YORK -

At the beginning of the pandemic last year, personal protective equipment was in short supply in New York. The Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association, or GNYADA, and its president Mark Schienberg found a supplier abroad that was able to ship masks to the association within weeks. 

For that help in cutting through the red tape and getting equipment into the hands of people that needed it, Schienberg earned recognition from Crain’s New York Business and Empire BlueCross BlueShield as one of 50 pandemic heroes.

Schienberg was honored as part of the 2020 Whole Health Heroes Award program. The program honored a group of New York region leaders from the healthcare, essential worker and business sectors, for displaying leadership to help ensure New Yorkers’ safety and wellness during the pandemic.

Through its member dealers, the association purchased nearly 1 million face masks and face shields. Schienberg and GNYADA leaders arranged distribution of those supplies by contacting New York City Borough presidents, Long Island county executives, and leaders in Westchester and the Lower Hudson Valley, in addition to the American Red Cross in New York City.

Those efforts led to delivery of PPE to New York City Housing Authority residents in Brooklyn, senior centers, borough halls, emergency management facilities, non-profit organizations that work with the most vulnerable populations, and other groups.

Additional recipients of the 2020 Whole Health Heroes distinction included Northwell Health chief executive officer Michael Dowling, Michelin-starred chef Daniel Boulud, FDNY EMS president Oren Barzilay and physicians at Mount Sinai, New York Presbyterian and other medical facilities.

Schienberg said franchise new-car dealers are often among the most philanthropic small businesses in their communities.

“That was way true before the pandemic and it remains true now,” Schienberg said in a news release.

Schienberg also said, “Even at a time when their own businesses were at risk because of the statewide shutdowns, auto dealers in Metro New York selflessly stepped up to the plate and, working with the association, were able to deliver crucial life-saving equipment to their neighbors who were in urgent need. It was humbling to be recognized alongside so many generous and compassionate New Yorkers who came together to help our region, and our nation, through such a difficult time.”