NYU Winthrop nurses get an “Emergency Thank You” from AAA with deliveries of free Memberships to Help Essential Workers Get to Work

The Island Now

Nurses from NYU Winthrop were surprised with goodie boxes from AAA Northeast—including 250 free AAA memberships to help ensure that essential workers can get to work if they have car trouble. AAA delivered healthy snack boxes to the hospital’s more than 20 nursing units, and attached to each unit’s large box were surprise, free memberships to thank front-line nurses for their hard work during the coronavirus pandemic.

Nurses were asked to provide the year of their car, and those with the oldest cars won the free AAA memberships — since they are most likely to be in need of roadside assistance when on their way to help Long Islanders in the hospital.

“Usually cars that are best-in-show are winners, but AAA wanted to make sure those with cars most likely to have issues will have the emergency help they need,” said Robert Sinclair, manager of media relations for AAA Northeast, which delivered similar gifts to eight other hospitals on Long Island.

Meghan Menart, a nurse in NYU Winthrop’s Emergency Department, was one of the recipients of the free AAA memberships. Menart explained that she’d had car trouble getting to work that very morning. “I borrowed my Dad’s car, and it almost broke down on the way.” She said oil was leaking, and the engine light went on. “I don’t know what will happen when I go to the parking garage after my shift tonight, so I’m going to activate my AAA membership right away!”

Another recipient was Debra Whalen, a pediatric nurse who has 216,000 miles on her 2008 Honda Tucson. Sinclair said it’s when cars hit the decade mark, like Whelan’s, that they often begin experiencing serious problems. Now 250 essential workers at NYU Winthrop Hospital will have safety nets to help them should they have auto issues.

 

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