The Town of Montgomery Community Response Team has created several programs to help residents during this trying time.

In partnership with the Valley Central School District, the Response Team has created a writing contest for students in the district in order to engage them. These essays answer two questions: How has the coronavirus outbreak impacted you and your loved ones and what can be taken away from this pandemic that can help the Town of Montgomery moving forward. Town Supervisor Brian Maher noted that he was pleased with the one letter that had already come in.

“I already got one essay in and it’s from a second grader or first grader and they said ‘it’s okay times are different, mommy’s my teacher now, we get along okay. I miss my friends,’” Maher said.

Many participants from each grade level will receive gift cards of $25 and $50 to local businesses, which will provide them with a source of revenue during this challenging economic time. Grand prize winners in the fifth and eight grades will receive MacBook Pro laptops, which will help them as they enter middle and high school. Two lucky seniors, one male and one female, will receive $5,000 in scholarship funds that can be used toward college or vocational school. Essays must be submitted by Friday, April 17. All students can send their essays to mhurlburt@townofmontgomery.com. They should include their full name, address, email and phone number.

Students in grades two and below will write 250 words or less while students in grades 3-8 will write a 500-word essay. Those in grades nine through 12 will write a 1,000-word essay. Any student in the district is eligible to enter this contest.

Due to COVID-19 many children in the Town of Montgomery have been celebrating their birthdays without friends or loved ones. To ensure a special moment for children, the Response Team is offering a birthday call from the Town of Montgomery’s first responders. Parents can call the Town of Montgomery Community Response Team at 845-741-2835 to dispatch emergency vehicles, who will blast their sirens to wish a child happy birthday. Those interested should try to schedule with two days notice.

First responders have found this program to be fulfilling.

“You can get to see a surprise on the kids’ face,” said Robert Reynolds, chief of the Montgomery Fire District and a part-time police officer in Walden. “It’s definitely a great thing to give them a bit of relief.”

The program has been a hit with children.

“We have so many birthday requests it’s amazing,” Response Team Volunteer Coordinator Meghan Hurlburt said Thursday. “We have a good 15 requests so far.”

Restaurants continue to deliver hot meals everyday to those in need. Maher noted that this includes not just seniors, but anyone with underlying health problems such as diabetes.

Volunteers from the Response Team have also delivered groceries to Montgomery Nursing and Rehabilitation Center employees. Those that can afford it have reimbursed the Response Team.

The team also plans to launch a professional service program for local businesses. The Response Team will offer businesses the opportunity to work with Nugent & Hauessler, P.C. who will walk them through how to apply for Small Business Administration Loans and public-private partnership funding at a discount rate.

Sen. James Skoufis commended the Town of Montgomery for their efforts during this difficult time.

“We’re gonna be better for it,” Skoufis said regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. “It is wonderful to see everyone trying to pick up our neighbors and our communities. Thank you for what you’re doing to that end.”

The Town of Montgomery Community Response Team continues to look for new volunteers to help those in need as a response to COVID-19. Those interested in volunteering should call 845-741-2835.