Ex-vagrant vet’s mission: aiding homeless

A US Marine veteran who went from living on the streets to becoming an ER nurse at a Long Island hospital found inspiration to help the homeless — in the coronavirus pandemic.

Antranik “Andy” Garabedian, 41, used his experience to start a charity for the homeless as he watched the virus take its toll on people on the street — and has handed out more than 1,000 meals across the five boroughs and Nassau County, since April.

The Long Island native knows firsthand about homelessness: He spent about three years on the streets in the early 2000s after receiving a medical discharge from the Marines.

New Year’s Eve 2007 was cold and dreary on the streets of Smithtown, LI, and Garabedian said he contemplated ending his life that night.

Then he happened to stop by the rectory of the local Catholic church, St. Patrick’s.

“The man who answered the door could tell that I was at the end of my rope, and he invited me inside,’’ Garabedian said.

A nun there gave him a grilled-cheese sandwich and a glass of milk, and the priest offered him a cot for the night.

Their kindness prompted Garabedian to figure out a way to apply to Suffolk County Community College and get back on his feet. He found his passion in nursing.

He landed at Long Island Jewish Valley Stream hospital. At the height of New York’s coronavirus outbreak this past spring, the facility was getting “slaughtered,” said Garabedian.

With the help of another nurse, Dawna Scheich, he was able to register his charity — Aggregate Hearts. He now works five days a week as a nurse and spends one day on prep for the charity and one day on making deliveries.

Still, the do-gooder does need some help himself — such as with building a Web site — and is no longer embarrassed to admit it.

“It’s not just about me,” he said, “It’s about all of us making a sacrifice.”