Corbin honors local businessman for generous donations to Wounded Warriors Project & others in need

Owner of Mid Island Collision gives away thousands of dollars to veterans, food pantry and homeless shelter

Nassau County Deputy Presiding Officer Roger Corbin (D-Westbury) today honored local Rockville Centre business owner Robert Jesberger of Mid Island Collision for his generous donation to the Wounded Warrior Project, an organization that assists those men and women of the armed forces who have been severely injured during the conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan and other hot spots around the world.

First Lt. John Fernandez, outreach coordinator for the WWP, was present to accept the $10,000 check. Lt. Fernandez, a Long Island native, was severely wounded in 2003 when he was serving in Iraq.

The Wounded Warrior Project provides programs and services designed to ease the burden of the wounded and their families, aid in the recovery process, and smooth their transition back to civilian life. Donations also purchase a filled backpack for soldiers that contain such comfort items as toiletries and personal goods.

“The Wounded Warriors Project is a way to throw the ladder back over the fence to the wounded soldiers,” said Fernandez. “This donation is a fantastic showing of appreciation for the men and women who have served this country.”

Mr. Jesberger has also donated $10,000 to several organizations that assist homeless women and a food pantry which had grown behind in its rent.

“Bob Jesberger’s generous spirit and monetary donations will change the lives of hundreds of people,” said Legislator Corbin. “I wanted to thank him and honor him with a citation from the legislature to let him know that his good deeds are appreciated and will serve as a great example to others.”

In addition to the WWP, other organizations that have recently received checks from Jesberger are;

•$5,000 to the Ministries in Coram, an interfaith human services agency founded in 1967 by a consortium of churches and temples to help families in need. The agency serves about 17,000 people a year and runs an emergency food pantry. Late last year the agency was threatened with closure when it fell $16,000 behind in its rent.

•$5,000 to the Bethany House, four facilities founded by the Dominican Sisters of Amityville, located in Roosevelt, a two family house in Baldwin and an apartment in Bellmore. The facilities are opened to homeless women and their children and provide security, comfort, healthy meals and a helping hand in looking for work.