At Tuesday’s giveaway: From right to left: Rodney Williams, Darren Smith, Robert Carter, Booker Washington, Karen DuBois-Walton.
Four minority contractors gave back to their community Tuesday by handing out thousands of masks and hundreds of hand sanitizers to people in West Hills,
Rodney Williams, owner of Green Elm Construction, Robert Carter from New Haven A Plus Mechanical, Darren Smith from Hamden Partitions and Acoustical, and Booker Washington, who works in mechanical heating and air conditioning, partnered with Elm City Communities/ the Housing Authority of New Haven to distribute the Covid-19 protection at the basketball courts on South Genesee Street.
Washington noted that, in the past, he did contracting work in the same location as the giveaway. “It’s huge for me to be able to help and give back to the community,” he said.
“We made money. We live in the city, we need to give back,” Williams said.
Williams has been handing out masks at such events throughout the pandemic. This is the second such event organized with fellow minority contractors.
A view of the masks and hand sanitizer.
Around 6,500 masks and 150 hand sanitizers were distributed over the course of three hours Tuesday. While they had a tent set up, some staff members from the housing authority and contractors planned to go directly to nearby complexes and pass out the protective equipment to residents in more targeted outreach.
Karen DuBois-Walton, who runs the housing authority and is exploring a run for mayor, participated in the event. She noted that, while vaccinations and testing are crucial in stemming the pandemic, masks cannot be forgotten, especially as Covid-19 cases increase.
“These gentlemen are contractors that also do business with the housing authority and this is really exceptional because a lot of contractors do work, but not many come and give back in this kind of way,” she added. “So I just really want to commend them for the work that they do.”
Participants in the giveaway.
“It shows that we’re one community and that we’re all working together, so this is a great event that is actually happening out here, and I’m excited to be a part of it,” said West Hills Alder Honda Smith.