Bay Ridge

Petri Plumbing goes gold for pediatric cancer

Company owner joins Bay Ridge Cares effort

September 28, 2016 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Bay Ridge Cares has led a Go Gold Bay Ridge campaign for the past few years. Volunteers even decorated a tree on Fifth Avenue with gold yarn in 2014. Eagle file photo by Paula Katinas
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Bay Ridge Cares, a nonprofit group of volunteers who have provided hot meals to Superstorm Sandy victims rebuilding their homes and financial assistance to cancer victims rebuilding their lives, now has a new ally in its mission.

Michael Petri, the owner of Petri Plumbing and Heating, Inc. in Dyker Heights, announced on Sept. 22 that his company is joining forces with Bay Ridge Cares to support National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

The month of September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

For the past few years, Bay Ridge Cares has participated in the Go Gold Bay Ridge campaign, an effort to raise awareness of the need for funding for research into a cure for pediatric cancer. As part of Go Gold Bay Ridge, individuals and store owners are encouraged to wear gold ribbons or display gold posters in their windows.

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At Petri Plumbing, the dress code changed for all the employees during September. Regular uniforms are switched for gold ones. And a portion of the company’s revenue for the month is being donated to Bay Ridge Cares.

“I encourage everyone to ‘Go Gold’ in whatever way you can, for all the little warriors who are in the battle of their lives right now. This has become a neighborhood tradition for the past three years, and one we’re proud to be a part of,” Petri said. “There’s such tremendous need in our community for people to get involved and do whatever it is they can do.” 

Located at 901 Bay Ridge Ave., Petri Plumbing and Heating, Inc. is a family-owned business that was established in 1906. The company offers a variety of services including water and gas pipe leak repairs, pipe installations, boiler repairs and water heater installations. 

Bay Ridge Cares was formed by a group of local residents that included Justin Brannan, Karen Tadross, Teri Brennan and Allison Robicelli. In the wake of Superstorm Sandy in 2012, the group cooked and delivered more than 25,000 meals for families whose homes were destroyed by the storm and for first responders helping with the rebuilding effort.

Bay Ridge Cares has performed a variety of charitable endeavors since its inception.

One year, the organization raised more than $40,000 for the family of a toddler with leukemia. Another year, the group helped a family who had lost their house. The volunteers have also organized toy drives and coat drives.

Tadross said Bay Ridge Cares just keeps going, helping wherever and whenever it can. “It’s like a Red Cross type thing in our community,” she said. “Wherever the need is, that’s where we try to help.”

The group takes the Go Gold campaign seriously, according to Tadross. “Childhood cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children under the age of 15, yet there is very little funding directed toward pediatric cancers. In fact, only four percent of federal funding for cancer research flows to the laboratories that study pediatric cancer and that is what we seek to change through awareness.” 

Tadross isn’t surprised that Petri has decided to help Bay Ridge Cares. “There are so many the little things that Michael Petri and his group do that make it just a little more special. He does things that never get any publicity, like help needy people if they need new water heaters, and just go the extra mile to instill that spirit of caring into his employees,” she said.

“It’s so great to see the community come together for Bay Ridge Cares,” Petri said. “I know Karen Tadross very well, and I know the work she does, all on a volunteer basis. It’s terrific to be able to help out.”

For more information on Bay Ridge Cares, visit the group’s website at www.bayridgecares.com.

 


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