Biodex Medical Systems, Inc. aims to serve the communities in which we live and work. Community and charitable outreach is a core value of the company. We are committed to playing a part as active corporate citizens – sharing our skills, expertise, and resources with the wider community and creating partnerships that have a positive impact on society.

Relay for Life 2012

Biodex Employees Raise $8K for American Cancer Society

For the third year in a row, Biodex Medical Systems, Inc. has participated in the Center Moriches Relay for Life, the fund-raising arm for the American Cancer Society.  Relay for Life is a life-changing event that helps communities across the globe celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease.

This year there were 26 people representing Biodex, including employees and family members alike. Team members raised a total of $8,000.00 for the American Cancer Society with activities including a Chinese Auction, BBQ lunch, raffles and bake sales prior to the Relay.  At the Relay itself we sold popcorn and had a bounce house donated for all the kids to enjoy.

Biodex had quite a few first-time participants this year and this is what some had to say:

Jill Greene:  “The opening ceremony was a great start to the day! The Boy Scouts presented the colors, the reverend spoke beautiful words and then the first few laps were walked by the survivors and their caregivers. Everyone cheered and applauded. It was a very moving and emotional feeling. It definitely set the tone for the day. How wonderful it was that as a company we came together and showed our support.”

Jennifer Postawa:  “Good times; Great cause; Memories made; Relay for Life!”

Judy Markfeld:  “This relay was a testimony to what can be accomplished when everyone works together for a common goal.”

Greta Huddleston:  “It was my first Relay and it left an ominous impression, especially the Luminaria ceremony. As I lit the candles in the bags, I felt the immensity of these events all over the world, and the unselfish efforts that hundreds of thousands put forth.”

Maureen Sagnella:  “It was an honor and a privilege to participate in the Relay for Life.  I've lost many family members to this deadly disease and knowing that I possibly helped someone  makes it all worthwhile!”

Charlotte DiCarlo:  “This was the first time I was a member of a team.  It was a wonderful experience to be part of the Relay.”

And from the veterans of Relay:

Crystal Errante:  “It's always so nice to be reminded how many wonderful people there are in our community.  I enjoyed walking the track, listening to the bands and all the different activities at each site that kept my 9 year old daughter entertained for 10 hours!”

Ray Rinchey Jr.:  “The Relay for Life is an experience that will follow me for the rest of my life and I love raising money for a great cause.”

Heather Olenick:  “Ray (aka “sexy chick”) was such a trooper. He wore a chicken costume to raise money for us!  I had to take him behind the stage a few times to pull off the mask to pour cold bottles of water on his head – and he just kept going!  How fun it was to drive with Sue in the golf cart - remember going over the pitcher’s mound, LOL! It was so nice that so many co-workers/friends came to visit/support us!”

Camille Ketcham:  “I think the Relay was a great way for my family to be together and to give back to our community.  We have a close neighbor that has been fighting cancer and it made my children feel good that they can in some way help.”

Amy Malave:  “It was inspirational seeing all of the survivors, caregivers and everyone else, all there supporting such a great cause!”

Kristen Foster:  “The relay promotes the importance of teamwork among both team members and the community. It reminds us that the support of others really can make a difference in the world.”

Kathy Cunningham:  I had a great time with my kids and I was able to show them the importance of rallying together with others to support the fight against cancer.

Gary Barello:  “For me, having lost both Mom and Dad to cancer, it is enriching  and uplifting to know that where one individual may feel isolated and alone in the face of a frightening illness, that same individual is neither alone nor isolated when they join with other people – and receive energy, strength and hope….This makes all things possible….”

Sue Brennan:  “This was my last year doing the Relay for Biodex and my first year on the planning committee for the event. I will be continuing my efforts by remaining on the planning committee for years to come. I hope to inspire people to join in the fight against this disease as I continue to support the cause in any way I can.”

Biodex Employees Volunteer for Daffodil Days

This March was our third year volunteering with Federal Express and the American Cancer Society for the Daffodil Days fundraiser. Biodex employees met with fellow volunteers at the FedEx building in Calverton on March 19th to sort and pack more than 50,000 daffodils for delivery to patients in health facilities throughout Suffolk County.

We enjoyed some good laughs and camaraderie while packing orders; some with bears, plain bunches or as potted plants. Using color-coordinated tissue paper for a festive, gift-like appearance, each delivery included "care" instructions so flowers would last at their best. Volunteer FedEx drivers generously donated their day off, and carefully loaded their trucks with the daffodils for next day delivery. We were all very proud to support a cause that gives hope to those fighting cancer.

The Biodex volunteers are looking forward to making participation in this event an annual tradition. 

Canine Companions for Independence

In June, we held a barbecue lunch for our employees to raise money for Canine Companions for Independence. The Company provided the hot dogs, buns and condiments while some employees donated trays of homemade salads and desserts. Everyone enjoyed the good food cooked by our very own "Chef Bobby" and it was a good excuse to sit down and enjoy each others company.

For more information on Canine Companions, visit: www.cci.org.
Click in to view a letter from Canine Companions for Independence.

Disabled American Veterans

In July, we held our annual company picnic at the Country Fair in Medford. Once aware of our interest to run a fundraiser at our event, Country Fair provided us with a dunk tank at no charge to raise funds for Disabled American Veterans. Some employees and their family members graciously volunteered to be dunked (since it was the hottest day of the year I don't think they cared very much), while the rest of the employees gladly paid a nominal fee to dunk them. The coordinator of our event from the Country Fair also agreed to be dunked since her entire staff insisted she get "in the tank."

For more information on the Country Fair, visit: www.countryfairpark.com.
For more information on Disabled American Veterans: www.dav.org.
Click in to view a letter from Disabled American Veterans.

Back to School Supplies

In August, we coordinated efforts with our neighbor, Family Service League, to have our employees donate back to school supplies for the needy families of our surrounding communities. We raised money and awareness through various fundraising means. Thanks to the generosity of our employees, we filled a 5 foot tall box with supplies and presented them to Family Service to distribute.

For more information about Family Service League, visit: www.fsl-li.org/home/index.php.
Click in to view a letter from Family Service League.

Island Harvest

In September, in support of Island Harvest's efforts to collect food and/or donations, a handful of our employees adopted the Riverhead Panera Bread location for a week, as we did last year. For four hours we position a table and receptacle just outside Panera from 7 am – 11 am, Monday through Friday and ask their patrons to donate. For their donation, patrons receive a coupon for a free breakfast sandwich provided by Panera Bread. It's a win-win situation for everyone. For their volunteer time, Biodex pays employees their salary under the Company's popular Volunteer Program.

The Biodex Employee Volunteer Program is about much more than just donating money. Even more important are the time and skills Biodex employees give to the communities in which they live and work.

We are committed to playing a part as active corporate citizens – sharing our skills, expertise, and resources with our wider communities and creating partnerships that have a positive impact on society.

We also have a few employees who donate their own time on a Sunday morning for 4 hours (7 am – 11 am) to stand outside Stop & Shop in Shirley during the month of December to collect donations of food for Island Harvest as well.

In recognition of our efforts, the President and CEO of Island Harvest, Randi Shubin Dresner, made a special visit to Biodex to present us with a plaque for our dedicated services to Island Harvest.

For more information about Island Harvest, please visit: www.islandharvest.org/intro.aspx.
If you have free time and would like to volunteer to help them: http://islandharvest.volunteerhub.com/SignIn.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fDefault.aspx.

Biodex Medical Systems, Inc. Recognized for Their Support

Gary Barello, VP Human Resources & Organizational Development, and Sue Brennan, HR Assistant/Receptionist of Biodex Medical Systems, Inc., were given a Certificate of Island Harvest's appreciation for all of their incredible volunteer work. 

The Retreat

Also during September, we held a fundraising lunch for employees to raise money and awareness for The Retreat, a safe haven in East Hampton for victims of domestic violence. Our employees donated trays of penne ala vodka, ziti, sausage & peppers, macaroni & cheese, eggplant parmigana, meatballs, pasta salad, garden salad, antipasto salad, pasta fagioli, escarole w/garlic, broccoli w/garlic and lots of bread. Everyone enjoyed their lunch while funding a good cause!

For more information on The Retreat, please visit: www.theretreatinc.org.
Click in to view a letter from The Retreat.

American Cancer Society

The BioSteppers, are a team of employees that participated in the Center Moriches Relay for Life for the American Cancer Society. Team members took turns walking for 12 hours, noon to midnight, in an effort to raise money and promote cancer awareness at Center Moriches High School. Last year in 2010, we raised in excess of $4,300.00 and for 2011, we raised over $10,000! For more information, please click here.

Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck
We also have a team of employees who have volunteered to help Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck in Center Moriches. During the first week in June, participating employees will take a paid day off, under the Biodex Volunteer Program, to go to the camp and do various outdoor jobs – planting, painting, power washing the pool, etc.

Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck's mission is to help children and adults with disabilities achieve equality, dignity, and maximum independence through a safe and quality program of camping, recreation, and education in a summer-time environment.

For more information on the camp, please click here.