NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — Southcoast Health announced today that it has donated $10,000 to the American Red Cross to help relief efforts to communities impacted by Hurricane Harvey. In September, SouthCoast Federal Credit Union established a charitable fund to which Southcoast Health employees donated a total of $5,000. Optimum Healthcare IT, a partner of Southcoast Health, learned of the endeavor and made a matching donation of $5,000.

“I am so proud of our team at Southcoast Health who continue to generously support deserving causes and important community initiatives,” said Keith A. Hovan, President & CEO of Southcoast Health. “While the devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey, and all of our most recent natural disasters, have become a memory for many Americans, the impacts of these events remain a stark reality for those who were impacted. We are confident that the American Red Cross will put these funds to good use to make a positive change in the lives of those impacted by such devastation.”

“We are appreciative of the opportunity to participate in these efforts with our original sponsor, Southcoast Health, and Optimum HealthCare IT to provide a conduit for the generosity of the employees and management of each for this needed assistance,” said Duarte D. Silva, President/CEO of SouthCoast Federal Credit Union. “Through the American Red Cross network, the people of these affected areas will have one more community standing with them during these rebuilding and challenging times.”

“Optimum Healthcare IT prides itself on our commitment to the multiple charities that we support both locally and nationally and we were honored to partner with Southcoast Health to help provide the needed resources to give aid to those affected by Hurricane Harvey, “ said Jason Mabry, CEO of Optimum Healthcare IT. “We know the American Red Cross will use this donation to help individuals and families recover from this devastating storm.”

“The continuing support of our disaster relief work by local community organizations such as SouthCoast Federal Credit Union and Southcoast Health means so much to our chapter. We are so grateful. And the matching gift from Optimum Healthcare IT truly makes a difference, supporting our volunteers doing this important work,” said Hilary V. Greene, Executive Director of the American Red Cross of the Cape, Islands & Southeast MA Chapter.