Troy Oakwood Community Center gets brand new AC unit for the summer

The Capital Region was back under an Air Quality Alert on Tuesday. With the air unhealthy for some, programs that cater to children are taking extra precautions.

The Oakwood Community Center in Troy limited its outdoor activities, but at one point, staying inside was not the safest options because the center did not have an air conditioner.

Thanks to a successful fundraising effort, “Keep Our Kids Cool,” the center was able to raise enough money to get a unit just in time for the scorching high temps.

Isaac Lewis, 12, said this is his second summer attending the center’s program and explains it’s a huge change from last year.

“It used to be moist and sticky and everyone had to drink a lot of water,” he said. “It’s still hot sometimes, but it’s not as hot. It’s like when you open a freezer, and you get, like, that gust of fresh freezer wind in your face.”

The director Shanna Goldman says she’s thankful for everyone that’s donated, and Isaac shared the same sentiment.

“To all the people that did donate, I want to say thank you, because that’s just a big part in all the stuff we do. Because if we didn’t have the AC, like I said we’d sit at home in the dry heat…everybody here does appreciate the AC’s,” he said.