National Grid volunteers upgrade playgrounds for Head Start in Albion, Medina

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Photos and information courtesy of Community Action of Orleans & Genesee

ALBION/MEDINA – A dedicated team from National Grid volunteered their time on Sept. 17 to replace three sandboxes at the Head Start locations in Albion and Medina.

The project, which had been on Community Action of Orleans & Genesee’s “to-do” list for quite some time, was made possible through the partnership with National Grid and support from the United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes.

In Albion, the National Grid team worked to remove old sand that had accumulated in the playground’s sandbox. The sand was repurposed to reinforce the playground’s fencing, helping to improve overall safety. The team also cleared out intrusive roots, repaired a broken wall, and completed the revitalization by unloading 12 tons of pea gravel into the sandbox. The use of pea gravel was chosen to ensure easier long-term maintenance and increased safety for the children.

After finishing in Albion, the volunteers moved on to Medina, where they filled two smaller sandboxes with an additional 2 tons of pea gravel, completing the project by mid-day.

“Without the partnership from our friends at United Way of ROCFLX and the coordination and manpower from Paul Gister and his team at National Grid, I don’t know when this project would have been completed,” said Ryan Lasal, director of Community & Family Programming at Community Action of Orleans & Genesee. “We’re lucky to have such wonderful community partners.”

Community Action of Orleans & Genesee, which serves families across the region, is thrilled to have these improvements for the children who attend their Head Start programs. Thanks to the volunteer efforts, the children can now enjoy safer and cleaner playgrounds.

About Community Action of Orleans & Genesee

Community Action of Orleans & Genesee is dedicated to helping individuals and families achieve self-sufficiency and improve their quality of life. Through programs such as Head Start, Emergency Services, and Case Management, the organization works to address the needs of low-income individuals and strengthen the communities they serve. For more information about the services they provide, visit their website at www.caoginc.org.