Middletown Community Campus Children Get New Playground

MIDDLETOWN—Children living at the homeless shelter on Middletown’s community campus now have a new playground, which was dedicated on Dec. 21. Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus took steps to replace an iron playset after it was destroyed. “When I learned that the play set at the shelter was stolen, I wanted to help make the holidays special for the kids by helping to get a new playground.”

M&R Energy Resources Corp. in New Windsor donated a high-quality wooden playset. Melissa A. Cobuzzi, M&R CEO/President, arranged for the playground set to be purchased by Best in Backyards in New Windsor. Best in Backyards owner Scott Honigsberg provided the set at a discounted rate with free delivery and installation on Dec. 19.

Local dignitaries joined Neuhaus and Cobuzzi at the dedication: County Legislator Jeff Berkman, who represents Middletown; HONORehg executive director Chris Molinelli; M&R Executive Vice President Michele Ries; and Rolf Zimmerman, VP of playset maker Eastern Jungle Gym.

Molinelli manages HONORehg (Helping Others Needing Our Resources emergency housing group). He thanked the county executive and M&R for the timely gift. “The installation of the playground has created a lot of excitement. We are thankful for the County Executive’s trust and faith in our agency and his dedication to HONORehg’s cause. M&R is a wonderful example of a local company that really cares about this community.”

Cobuzzi explained her company’s involvement, “The holidays are all about the children and, when we heard HONOR’s story, we knew we had to help.”

The shelter provides individualized and integrated services to people who are combating chemical dependency, in need of transitional housing, or require crisis intervention. About 45 children, from infants to teenagers, stay with their families at HONOR each night.

“It’s always wonderful when we can help make kids happy, and it’s even better during this time of the year,” Best in Backyards’ Honigsberg said.

To contact this reporter, please email yvonne.marcotte@epochtimes.com.