BOONVILLE, NY – Despite the many challenges facing local businesses by the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions, the Boonville Area Chamber of Commerce has partnered with Alder Creek Solar to give back to support low income families, seniors, and veterans facing challenging times this holiday season.
“As an organization dedicated to the growth and wellbeing of the entire Boonville community, we wanted to show that even though we are facing tough times and Boonville Area businesses are always here to support community needs. We are thankful to Apex Clean Energy and the Alder Creek Solar project for helping to ensure that these crucial community needs are met,” said Cheryl McMenama, Secretary for the Boonville Area Chamber of Commerce.
“We know that Alder Creek Solar will be a long-term fixture in the area, and we plan to be a long-term community partner for the towns of Boonville and Forestport,” said Brian O'Shea, Public Engagement Manager with Apex Clean Energy and Alder Creek Solar. “With so many of our neighbors in New York and across the country facing economic uncertainty this winter, we hope this partnership with the Boonville Area Chamber is able to help residents and families who are struggling.”
The solar project and local chamber will partner to support three different community groups and organizations: the Boonville/Forestport Presbyterian Church, the United Methodist Church of Boonville, and the residents of Kortenaer Village.
For over 30 years the Wish Upon a Star program at Boonville/Forestport Presbyterian Church has helped to bring joy to less-fortunate children whose families may be unable to afford gifts due to the loss of a job or other hardships. Over one hundred stars are handing from the tree this year, each with a child’s name and a list of items on their wish list this year. The donation from this local business partnership will help ensure more of the wishes on these stars can be granted this Christmas.
“Thanks to the support from the Boonville Area Chamber and Alder Creek Solar, this year’s Wish Upon a Star program will be able to help even more children and families from the Adirondack Central School District with gifts, food vouchers, and other necessities this holiday season. Thank you for helping to spread joy and love to the families this important program serves,” said Diane Hausserman, Elder with the First Presbyterian Church of Boonville.
Donations from the group will also help the United Methodist Church of Boonville put together up to 20 additional Christmas Food Baskets for low income families in the surrounding area. Each basket which will include a Turkey and all the trimmings to feed 4 to 6 people and costs about $50 to assemble.
“Thank you to Alder Creek Solar and the Boonville Chamber of Commerce for their support of the Helping Hands Food Pantry,” said Crystal Dauback of the Boonville United Methodist Church. “Food pantries across the nation have been hit especially hard with this year with lay-offs, furloughs, and business closures due to the pandemic. Thanks to their support and the support of other local businesses and individuals we hope to help even more local individuals and families in need with Christmas food boxes this year.”
Finally, thanks to a generous discount from Boscov’s Department Store, the group will provide new fleece blankets to the 67 residents Kortenaer Village, an affordable housing development serving low income seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities.
In addition to this partnership with the Boonville Area Chamber of Commerce, Alder Creek Solar recently concluded the application cycle for its Fall 2020 Community Grant Program. The applications are currently under review and the company plans to announce the full list of grant recipients in mid-December. Organizations interested in learning more about the program should visit www.aldercreeksolar.com/grant.