Partners Robert Rising and Peter Cukier delivered several hundred meals to staff at St. Vincent hospitals over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. By doing so, they were able to support local restaurants while also giving back to healthcare workers.
Between March and the beginning of June, they delivered food from eateries including Muldoon’s Irish Pub, O’Charley’s, Arni’s Restaurant and Vanilla Bean Bakery on an almost weekly basis. The meals were enjoyed by a range of staff members, including doctors, nurses and receptionists. They make sure to bring food on special occasions like Mother’s Day.
Every person has the ability and potential to make a difference in someone’s day, Robert said.
‘It doesn’t take a lot to change somebody's day, you don’t necessarily have to have a lot of money,” Robert said. “Do something as simple as holding a door for somebody, compliment somebody, something as little as that.”
Robert’s connection to the world of healthcare is personal. Eight years ago, he started Project Hope NY, a grassroots organization that provides assistance to struggling individuals and families. Robert founded this organization after his mom suffered from a brain aneurysm. He knew that the smallest acts of kindness made a world of difference when he sat by his mom’s bed in the hospital, and he wanted to extend that kindness to others. His mom unfortunately passed away in May 2019, and Project Hope NY continues in her honor.
After moving to Indianapolis from New York in 2015 for Peter’s financial analyst job, the duo developed their own connection with Indianapolis, its communities and healthcare workers. Robert underwent surgery at St. Vincent and maintained his relationship with healthcare workers there since. They regularly donate to hospitals and other essential services and organizations, such as the Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital, Riley Children’s Health & Ronald McDonald House, and several homeless shelters including Wheeler Mission Center For Women And Children and Dayspring Center.
Peter and Robert are involved in the Indianapolis Jewish community, donating their time and money and participating in charitable events through the Federation and its agencies. They also continue their philanthropy in New York. In July 2017, Project Hope NY donated 50 backpacks filled with school supplies to the Jewish Family Services Backpack Attack School Supplies Drive. They recently donated school supplies, backpacks, and gift cards to teachers and several local schools. Peter and Robert have contributed to programs and services that benefit immigrant populations, such as Popsie’s Pantry and JFS’ Kavod program. In 2018, Peter and Robert sponsored a special Russian Victory Day Luncheon for 50 Holocaust Survivors. They have donated to multiple families for Adopt-a-Family for the past 5 years and donate regularly to the Parent’s Night Out program. Peter’s employer, AXA Advisors, LLC did a Day of Service at JFS and donated $3,000.