Senator Mannion Delivers Free Tests And KN95 Masks To Disability Service Providers And Senior Care Programs In The 50th Senate District

SYRACUSE, NY – Senator John W. Mannion (D-Geddes,) Chairman of the Disabilities Committee, today brought free COVID test kits and free KN95 masks to disability service providers and senior care programs in the 50^th Senate District.

Senator Mannion dropped off supplies at ARISE, AccessCNY, ARC of Onondaga County, and Self-Direct, Inc. These deliveries are in addition to the free tests and free masks that were given to constituents at an event at the Northwest Family YMCA in Baldwinsville earlier this week .

“Getting through this pandemic is a team effort and Central New Yorkers are team players. I am proud to deliver these masks and COVID tests directly to my constituents and to programs that serve our seniors and people with disabilities,” said Senator Mannion. “I am incredibly grateful that Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins and Governor Kathy Hochul have provided these resources to my office so we could distribute them in the community.”

Senator Mannion was provided one thousand test kits (two thousand tests) and one thousand KN95 masks by Governor Kathy Hochul and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins for distribution in the 50th Senate District. 

“As an Independent Living Center serving people of any age and any disability, including a mental health diagnosis, ARISE connects with some of the most vulnerable people in our community,”  said ARISE CEO Tania Anderson.  “We are grateful for the COVID test kits supplied by Senator Mannion.  These test kits will help us keep people safe in the community, just as ARISE’s programs keep people safe, independent and fully included in our neighborhoods.”

“Senator Mannion has been a fierce and effective advocate for people with disabilities and those that support them throughout the pandemic.  He has increased funding for services, sponsored a dedicated vaccination clinic and provided opportunities for Direct Support Professionals to further their education to build a career by serving others,” said Paul Joslyn, AccessCNY Executive Director. “Like all in our community, AccessCNY has struggled to find COVID test kits. These tests help ensure those with disabilities whom we support can safely go to work, be in the community and achieve their goals.  These kits will ensure that our staff and those they support are not just protecting themselves, but all of Central New York. We are grateful to Senator Mannion for making these tests available and for his steadfast efforts to help AccessCNY create a community where all people belong.”

“We are grateful to Senator Mannion for always including people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in his efforts,” said Ellen Gutmaker, Executive Director of the ARC of Onondaga County. “These test kits will assist us in keeping the people we support, as well as the staff that support them, healthy and safe”.

“As we all know, our community is struggling to access COVID-19 testing, and to a home care agency, that results in a critical staffing shortage,” said Pat Palumbo, President of Self-Direct, Inc. “Self-Direct Inc. couldn’t be more appreciative of Senator Mannion’s contribution to our community and to those who are in need of the services we provide.”

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