HealthWay Partners with Local Leaders, CenterState CEO to Donate Air Purifiers to Businesses Hard-hit by Pandemic

18 Local Businesses Receive Intellipure Air Purifiers from HealthWay Family of Brands; Businesses Take #SmartSteps to Provide Staff, Clients Greater Protection from COVID-19

Syracuse, NY – HealthWay Family of Brands, CenterState CEO, the Downtown Committee of Syracuse and the Greater Oswego-Fulton Chamber of Commerce joined Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh, and Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon to announce that 18 local businesses have recently received Intellipure air purification systems. The air purifiers will help to improve air quality in these indoor spaces and promote cleaner air. For a complete list of the recipients, please see below.

The systems were donated and installed by HealthWay, of Pulaski. The Intellipure system is a medical-grade air purification system that captures and permanently removes viral and bacterial particles from the air, down to .007 microns - smaller than the COVID-19 virus - through its disinfecting filtration system (DFS) technology. Each compact unit protects up to 500 square feet and is individually tested and certified to exceed traditional HEPA filtration, providing the highest level of ultrafine particle and virus removal.

The donation represents an effort to connect local businesses impacted by the pandemic with local solutions to support their safe operations. Businesses were also trained and educated by HealthWay on how the systems operate and their efficiency, to share that information with employees and customers.

"As a local community member, it's been heartbreaking to see what these businesses have been through,” said Vinny Lobdell, global president of HealthWay Family of Brands. “Many of them have supported us over the years in various ways, and so it only made sense. We're hoping this donation of air purifiers will not only allow them to better protect patrons and staff but also help them push forward. This community is strong, and we will continue to get through this together."

In total, HealthWay’s donations represent a $20,000 direct investment in businesses within some of the industries hardest hit by the pandemic. The donated purifiers, manufactured by HealthWay in Oswego County, are the same as those that are now being used across industries and critical facilities globally, including Syracuse, Chicago and New York City school districts; Upstate University, Crouse and New York City hospitals; and more. Now, these local small businesses are utilizing the same world-class, locally-developed technology to keep their customers and employees safer.

"As a childcare program serving children in the middle of this COVID-19 pandemic, clean air is a critical piece of promoting a safe environment for children to learn and play while parents are working,” said Tanika Jones, owner, It Takes a Village Family Daycare. “We are grateful for the gifts of two Intellipure air purifiers that we otherwise may not have been able to afford considering we are a small business operating on a small budget during this difficult time.”

HealthWay worked with CenterState CEO, the Downtown Committee of Syracuse, Inc. and the City of Syracuse to determine where there were needs. The partnership reflects efforts to bring together community leaders to develop and advance #SmartSteps to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“We have heard directly from so many businesses hit hard by the pandemic about the multitude of challenges they face, including battling customer and worker confidence,” said Robert Simpson, president of CenterState CEO. “Through this incredible donation by HealthWay, the businesses receiving these purifiers can demonstrate they are doing their part to keep our community safer. HealthWay’s decision to pay its successes forward directly supports the safety and viability of these businesses, which are critical contributors to our region’s vibrancy. I want to thank Vinny Lobdell for his generosity and genuine interest in supporting other local businesses. It’s this type of leadership that truly makes me proud to be a part of this community.”

“We are incredibly grateful for this generous donation from HealthWay Family of Brands to provide extra comfort to restaurant patrons,” said Merike Treier, executive director of the Downtown Committee of Syracuse, Inc. “Here in Downtown Syracuse, we’re very fortunate to have a variety of businesses that have pivoted in extraordinary ways to safely serve our community. HealthWay’s donation supports the mission of these restaurants by enhancing continued efforts to maintain confidence in their establishments, while also ensuring the vibrancy of our city center. We encourage you to continue to support small, local businesses.”

“Since the start of the pandemic, this community has pulled together to help out those in need and to protect each other’s health,” said Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh. “HealthWay’s donation is the best of both of these actions. By providing these air purifiers, the company is both helping our small businesses and taking care of their customers and employees,” said Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh. “I thank HealthWay for once again stepping up for Syracuse and Central New York.”

Onondaga County Executive McMahon said, "Our small businesses, especially our local restaurants, are the backbone of our local economy. Helping them reopen safely and quickly has been a top priority of my administration. It is especially appropriate that another local company, HealthWay, has generously stepped up to donate several air purifiers to these hard-hit businesses in an effort to give the owners and patrons peace of mind knowing everything is being done to protect their safety." McMahon continued, "Whether ordering takeout or safely and responsibly dining inside, I encourage everyone to do what they can do help make sure these local businesses are here for years to come. Thank you to Vinny Lobdell and his company for stepping up and demonstrating once again that we are all in this together."

“Vinny Lobdell and the team at HealthWay truly understand what it means to be a community partner,” said Katie Toomey, executive director of the Greater Oswego-Fulton Chamber of Commerce, a fully integrated partner of CenterState CEO. “HealthWay’s impact throughout this pandemic has been tremendous. More so, we are grateful to be able to help them make an impact for these businesses and showcase their industry-leading global technology made right here in Oswego County."

These HealthWay donations are the latest in the company’s efforts to step up in the face of the crisis through their technology and products, including generous support to the community during the pandemic. The company also donated two of its larger units to the Syracuse DPW building and worked closely with the Syracuse City School District to make sure it was possible for them to put units throughout their schools.

HealthWay has also launched a website aimed at helping the community learn about the businesses that are operating a HealthWay system to help make their spaces safer. Learn more.

Businesses that received a HealthWay system include:

About CenterState CEO

CenterState CEO is an independent and forward thinking economic development strategist, business leadership organization and chamber of commerce; dedicated to the success of its members and the prosperity of the region. We serve as an advocate and resource for smart business, catalyze and facilitate regional growth, and promote community prosperity through results-driven partnerships, planning and problem-solving. www.centerstateceo.com

About the Downtown Committee of Syracuse, Inc.

The Downtown Committee of Syracuse, Inc. is a private, not-for-profit, professional downtown management organization representing all property owners and tenants within the central business district. The Downtown Committee undertakes programs to improve downtown's image, strengthen its economic base, increase its attractiveness and assure that it's clean, safe and accessible. http://downtownsyracuse.com