Statewide Abstract Insurance: Protecting First Responders on the Front Lines

Thanks to the efforts of two Westchester businessmen, more than 7,000 masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE) were donated to police departments across Westchester. Statewide Abstract Director of Regional Sales Mark Okamoto worked with Richard Zhang, founder of Richbridge Capital LLC, the manager of Empire Suites in White Plains and Empire Apartments in New Rochelle, to secure the equipment.

Richard Zhang, originally from China, returned to Shanghai with his family in mid-March. During their two-week mandatory self-quarantine, the Zhangs started procuring personal protective equipment for donation. In the first week, they were able to ship more than 100 packages that included 15,000 PPE items to community hospitals in Washington, California and New York State. So far, more than 30,000 pieces of PPE have been donated and sent to the United States.

“I wanted to do more,” Zhang says. “I contacted Mark, knowing that he had connections with several police departments. I know that many first responders often have limited access to personal protective equipment, and I wanted to help them out. Since that original contact on March 27, more than 7,000 masks and gloves have been sent or are on-route to the Westchester County Chiefs of Police Association to be distributed to police departments around the county. We are all in this together, and by helping each other, we all benefit,” Zhang says.

Kenneth Meccia, President of Statewide Abstract, said, “We are so grateful that Mark’s relationship with Richard has resulted in this support for our local law enforcement agencies. As a member of the Westchester community for over 40 years, we are proud to help during this crisis in any way we can. Statewide is a leader in the title insurance business with offices in White Plains, NY and in Manhattan.

Photo caption: Harrison Police Chief John Vasta (second from right) with other officers after receiving masks from Statewide Abstract Director of Regional Sales Mark Okamoto.