Brightwaters Farms donates $10,000 to Utica nonprofit ICAN

UTICA, N.Y. — Brightwaters Farms is donating $10,000 to ICAN, a Utica nonprofit that provides mental and behavioral-health services.

ICAN is short for Integrated Community Alternatives Network, per its website.

Brightwaters Farms, located at 1113 Herkimer Road, is a local company that supports ICAN’s work and vision, the office of Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri said in announcing the donation. ICAN is located at 310 Main St. in Utica.

“I commend Anthony Quintal and Brightwaters Farms for their generosity and consistently being a strong community partner,” Palmieri said in a release. “ICAN is a great organization that provides life-changing services to those in need, and Brightwaters Farms donation will help ICAN’s mission in keeping families together, as well as enhancing the quality of life of the individuals it serves.

The Quintal and DeRitis families wanted to support the Utica community during these difficult times as it is essential to their beliefs.

“Both my family and our partners, the DeRitis family, are proud to support the Utica community and to be a part of this great city,” Anthony Quintal, president of Brightwaters Farms, said. “We are pleased to make this donation to such a great nonprofit to help them provide additional assistance to our great community.”

The Utica location of Brightwaters Farms is situated on more than 100 acres and is “one of the largest greenhouse facilities in the northeast,” per its website. It also operates locations in Delaware County and on Long Island.

With ICAN’s vision of “keeping families together,” it helps “high risk” individuals and families restore social, emotional, and behavioral health and well-being. It offers 20 programs throughout a six-county area; serves 1,500 individuals daily; and provides support in schools, home, and community, as described in the release.

“We are so honored to receive this generous gift from a longstanding business in our area and the state,” Steve Bulger CEO of ICAN, said. “ICAN has been essential through the pandemic. A donation of this magnitude will directly support our continuous efforts to help keep children and families stronger, healthier… and together.”