Skanska USA and EMCOR Group, two of the region�s largest contracting firms, have offered separate $50,000 donations to help with relief efforts in Haiti, while other firms and associations are gathering cash and food donations.

Skanska’s donation was made to the United Nations, while EMCOR donated $25,000 to the American Red Cross’ Touching Lives Program, with an additional $25,000 from a double matching program with EMCOR employees.

“We know that this donation can only do so much in an area where the need is so great,” said Mike McNally, President and CEO of Skanska USA. “But we know that if every company of our size does this, perhaps it ends up making a great difference.”

“There’s a human tragedy unfolding in Haiti,” said Frank T. MacInnis, Chairman and CEO of EMCOR. “It’s our privilege to be able to support the relief.”

Family-owned Park Avenue Building and Roofing Supplies and AM&G Waterproofing LLC located in East New York, Brooklyn has also been doing its part to help aid victims of the earthquake in Haiti by donating $5,000. An additional $5,000 is also being donated by co-owner Erminia Rivera’s personal foundation, The Gilbert Rivera Charitable Foundation in honor of her late husband and founder of the two companies.

In addition, all 50 employees of Park Avenue and AM&G are helping to raise money by reaching out to customers through printed signs made by The Berman Group located outside the storefront, an LCD sign in the parking lot and a bucket which has already managed to accumulate $1,000 in cash and checks since last Monday.

“We are strictly reaching out to our customers and members in the community,” said Rivera whose goal is to raise $15,000-$20,000 in total.

Rivera along with Park Avenue and AM&G are giving themselves until March 1st to raise the desired amount before donating the money to the American Red Cross.

The New York City District Council of Carpenters has also been doing its part to help support Haitian earthquake victims. The Carpenters’ 20,000 members were recently featured on WABC 7 for having banded together to collect donations of non-perishable food. However, while they have reached massive support for their collection efforts, transporting the food to Port-au-Prince and other cities has proven more difficult.

“My intentions are for the food to get to Haiti, that’s what we’re spearheading and driving,” says Anthony Agridiano, District Council Organizer.

New York City officials are working around the clock with the Haitian government to find a way to transport the donated items to various locations in Haiti.

“We have good resources to find out how it’s going to get there,” says Agridiano who is working closely with officials to identify a solution.