ALBANY, N.Y. — The City School District of Albany and Mohawk Ambulance Service held its annual Summer Celebration & Safety Day for Capital Region families, parents and kids at Arbor Hill Elementary School on Saturday, July 9 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The free event included safety demonstrations and education from community agencies and non-profit organizations.
Families enjoyed a free barbecue, live music, fun activities and games for children like giant Jenga and Connect Four, face painting, snow cones and giveaways. The Albany Capital Center and Albany Convention Center Authority sponsored the complimentary cookout with hamburgers and hotdogs, snacks and beverages.
“Summer Celebration & Safety Day is an initiative that Mohawk Ambulance Service is proud to offer to the families and communities of Albany County,” said James P. McPartlon, president, Mohawk Ambulance Service. “This event offers a fun and interactive environment for children to learn about potential dangers that go along with their favorite summer activities. This year’s event far exceeded the number of community partners we’ve had involved in years past and I’d like to sincerely thank them for their participation.”
More than 30 community partners and nonprofits were in attendance. Mohawk Ambulance Service provided ambulance tours, distributed lunch bags, crayons and other swag items. New York State Police was onsite with its rollover simulator, the Albany Police Department was making Safe Child IDs, the Albany Fire Department offered fire engine tours and the Albany County Department of Health was onsite to administer COVID-19 vaccines. University at Albany basketball players were on the scene to shoot hoops with kids and giveaway UAlbany Basketball merchandise. Adirondack Mac made an appearance too to promote the Winter 2023 FISU World University Games.
“Summer Celebration and Safety Day allows us to keep educating children and families even when school is out,” said Kaweeda G. Adams, superintendent of the City School District of Albany. “It’s a great opportunity to focus on staying safe and healthy during summer months, and we couldn’t do it without the support of our community partners.”
Community agencies and non-profit organizations in attendance included:
- Albany Community Action Partnership
- Albany County Crime Victim & Sexual Violence Center
- Albany County Department of Health
- Albany Fire Department
- Albany Housing Authority
- Albany Police Department
- Capital District Tobacco Free
- CDTA
- Center for Donation and Transplant
- Christ Church of Albany
- City of Albany Youth and Workforce Development Services
- City School District of Albany Early Childhood Department
- District Attorney Outreach Program
- Donate For Life
- Families Together NYS Youth Empowerment
- Fidelis Care
- MVP
- Seal a Smile
- Skidmore College
- South End Children’s Café
- The Albany Barn
- The Baby Institute
- The Red Bookshelf
- The Vegetable Project
- Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood
- Whitney Young Health
- Workforce Development Institute
- World University Games
The City School District of Albany and Mohawk Ambulance Service also raffled off eight children’s bicycles (courtesy of the Albany County District Attorney Outreach Program) and ten $50 Price Chopper gift cards.
*Photos courtesy of Albany Police Department.
About the City School District of Albany: The mission of the City School District of Albany is to work in partnership with our diverse community to engage every learner in a robust educational program designed to provide the knowledge and skills necessary for success. The district serves about 9,500 students in 18 elementary, middle and high schools. In addition to neighborhood schools, the district includes several magnet schools and programs, as well as other innovative academic opportunities for students, including four themed academies at Albany High School.
About Mohawk Ambulance Service: Mohawk Ambulance Service is the largest, privately owned ambulance service in upstate New York. With more than 40 emergency response vehicles, Mohawk Ambulance Service provides Basic Life Support and Advanced Life Support services to the counties of Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer and Saratoga. Mohawk Ambulance Service employs more than 300 New York State Certified Emergency Medical Technicians, Critical Care Technicians and Paramedics ready to provide the highest quality of emergency medical care. Rensselaer and Saratoga. Mohawk Ambulance Service employs more than 300 New York State Certified Emergency Medical Technicians, Critical Care Technicians and Paramedics ready to provide the highest quality of emergency medical care.
###