Jacobs Secures COVID-19 Protection Supplies for Orchard Park Recreation Department

(Buffalo, NY) – State Senator Chris Jacobs and Orchard Park officials announced today that the Senator was able to secure funds for the purchase of COVID-19 protection equipment necessary for the Town’s Recreation Department to conduct their Summer Day Camps again this year.  Heightened safety requirements and municipal budget constraints all caused by the coronavirus pandemic had placed the future of the camps in jeopardy prior to Jacobs securing the funding.

“The recreation department’s summer day camps provide outstanding programming that enhances the development of children from 4 to 16 years old while providing their parents with the comfort of knowing their children are being well cared for,” said Jacobs.  “With so many challenges facing our young families today, it was important to find a way to make sure these camps were held again this year.”

The Senator’s funding was used for the purchase of four no-touch, infrared thermometers that will be used to take the temperatures of campers and staff each morning as they arrive.  Anyone with elevated temperatures which could signal the potential presence of the virus would not be able to attend the camp that day. 

Equally critical for the camps to be held this year was the purchase of a cordless electrostatic disinfecting sprayer.  The sanitizing device will be used to sanitize bathrooms and contained spaces throughout the day, and at closing, to ensure a safe and clean environment for campers and staff.  Jacobs also donated 200 facemasks and 15 gallons of hand sanitizer for the campers and staff.

“Our entire Recreation Department and the families whose children participate in our camps are very grateful to Senator Jacobs for his support,” said Ed Leak, Orchard Park’s Director of Recreation, Parks and Forestry.  “These pieces of equipment ensure that we meet or exceed Center for Disease Control’s regulations and ensure families that our camping environment will be clean, safe and healthy.”

Orchard Park’s Summer Day Camps will be run in two separate sessions, one for children ages 4-10 at the new Community Activity Center at Brush Mountain Park, and the Adventure Camp for children ages 11-16 at Yates Park.  Over the years the camps have provided an important service for working parents while school aged children are on summer break.

“Whether it was securing $500,000 for our new Community Activity Center, or ensuring we were able to purchase these critically important tools so our camps could occur again this year, Senator Jacobs has always been a strong supporter of the Town of Orchard Park and our quality of life programs and initiatives” said Supervisor Patrick Keem.  “We are appreciative of his leadership and commitment in these challenging times and look forward to another successful camp season,” Supervisor Keem concluded.