Jared LePage of St. Lawrence NYSARC enjoys using the new grant-funded exercise bicycle.

St. Lawrence NYSARC has received a $5,000 grant to increase recreational options.

The Trustees of the NYSARC Trusts made the award for 10 children to take a trip to Rochester to purchase recreational equipment that will benefit more than 50 people for years to come.

Young people involved in St. Lawrence NYSARC’s Saturday Club program went to the National Museum of Play in Rochester. An overnight trip was a first for this group and the children enjoyed staying at the hotel, especially since it had an indoor swimming pool. Saturday Club also went to a laser light show at Strasenburg Planetarium.

St. Lawrence NYSARC’s Seaway Industries utilized a portion of the grant for a variety of recreational equipment for multiple facilities, such as barbecue grills and acessories for three facilities; fishing poles, tackle boxes and tackle; a digital camera; hand weights and an exercise bicycle; a Wii console including the games and accessories; and television.

People at the agency’s Hermon site used the fishing poles all summer and are thrilled to be able to use their Wii as a fun way to exercise during the cold months.

Individuals at the Massena location are using their new exercise bicycle as part of an active fitness program. The new hand weights are an option for individuals with limited mobility to exercise.