June 5th, 2020 – Islip Supervisor Angie Carpenter joined with Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr.; Senator Phil Boyle and Youth Enrichment Services, CEO MaryAnn Pfeiffer, to distribute masks and hand sanitizer made by county and state inmates, to residents of one local community.
The event marks a milestone for the Mask Making Initiative at the Riverhead Jail. The program has now produced 10,000 masks for county staff and essential workers in businesses, places of worship, and other venues, since inmates began making them in mid-April.
The masks and hand sanitizers were distributed to families who utilize the YES "Grab and Go" breakfast and lunch pick-up food service at the Anthony Alfano Elementary School in Central Islip. More than 100+ masks were made available.
"We value the partnership with our law enforcement officials. This is a way to help protect the residents in a community where we've seen some of the highest COVID-19 cases," said Supervisor Carpenter. "We may have turned the corner, but we're not yet out of the woods. We must continue to be diligent by wearing a face covering in public and by practicing social distancing," said the Supervisor.
The program, which is being led by several Suffolk County Correction Officers with sewing skills, gives county inmates an opportunity to learn a new skill, and contribute to the betterment of society during these unprecedented times.
“We can’t let our guard down, because if we do, COVID-19 will likely resurface and right now, we need to use every tool in the toolbox to prevent the spread of Coronavirus, so people can get back to school and work,” said Sheriff Toulon.
Sheriff Toulon said the program will continue as long as there is a need, and hopes that people will wear appropriate face coverings as the county begins to open up.
