Greenburgh's 'Covid Angels' Reach Milestone

GREENBURGH, NY — The Covid Angels initiative of Greenburgh reached a milestone in helping make appointments for people seeking the coronavirus vaccine.

Town Supervisor Paul Feiner said, after just more than two months, the 260-plus volunteers have made 5,000 phone calls and booked more than 2,000 vaccine appointments.

"The volunteers also helped make our first vaccine clinic at the Theodore D. Young Community Center a success, distributing 750 doses to our seniors, who return for their second dose on March 28," he said.

Feiner said, with the first phase of helping citizens get appointments slowing down as vaccines become more available and eligibility opens more, the town is planning a grassroots marketing initiative to overcome vaccine hesitancy.

"The town is thrilled to announce grant funding of $6,000 has just been awarded from the UJA-Federation of NY's Vaccine Education & Accessibility program to further these efforts, which we hope to supplement with further grant funding from other sources," he said.

Overcoming vaccine hesitancy in Greenburgh will involve creating a targeting marketing program with the goals of driving consumers to struggling small businesses and supporting local families by giving teenage children opportunities for substantial paid work.

"We aim to encourage small businesses to offer discounts/incentives to customers who show they've been 'vaxed,' " Feiner said. "The businesses will then be promoted in informational flyers on how and why to get the vaccine, and how the Angels can help, which we intend to distribute widely from printed flyers in shop windows to social media."

He said the teens, pulled from those who have taken the Crossroads work-readiness summer program last year, will receive valuable work experience, help businesses and have a hand in saving lives.

Those interested in volunteering to support the effort can reach out to kmadsen@greenburghny.com copying pfeiner@greenburghny.com.

If you need help getting an appointment for the coronavirus vaccine, fill out this form.

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