Kindly gesture sparked for parks during coronavirus crisis
Usually during early springtime, Jake Stone of rural Bellefontaine finds himself on local baseball and softball fields, serving as an umpire with the Top of Ohio Umpires.
With the COVID-19 pandemic hitting the state of Ohio and impacting his children’s schooling and also canceling all sports activities for at least the next several weeks, Stone said he found himself with some extra time to spare. While disappointed about the many canceled softball and baseball games, he wanted to funnel that extra energy into an effort to give back during this time of crisis.
Stone recently started a new business, Above All Power Washing and Window Washing, and decided he could use his SoftWash materials to provide a free service to help keep area children safe on local playgrounds.
Thursday, he provided an application of a disinfectant and then a thorough rinse down of playground equipment at Mary Rutan Park, Southview Park, and the playground at Noah’s Ark Christian Daycare and Preschool, where his 2-year-old son Lincoln attends.
He also will be providing free sanitizing services for playground equipment in West Mansfield next week, he related. Stone has been in contact with Bellefontaine City Schools and Indian Lake Schools regarding offering SoftWash at playgrounds in those locations.
“While I know that not in any way, shape or form can I prevent the coronavirus, I wanted to do this to help ease the minds of parents and caregivers, once it’s safe to be playing here again,” he said while applying a rinse at the daycare’s playground.
“Things are so shaky right now, and I wanted to do anything I could to help out. It’s been inspiring watching other businesses as well giving back to the community, such as restaurants who are helping out Our Daily Bread. We have really been able to see the strength of our community through all of this.”
The business owner said he first reached out to the Bellefontaine Joint Recreation District about his idea to offer this cleaning, and Superintendent Kris Myers was eager for him to provide the service.
“Myers and his crew also followed me today in a water truck while I was out, and I’m so grateful for their assistance.
“I’m looking forward to doing this in West Mansfield next week as well and have been working with village officials there. Two of my children go to Indian Lake Schools, so I’ve been in contact there, as well as with Bellefontaine Schools.”
Stone said he previously worked for other power washing companies and now is branching out on his own. He offers SoftWash, which is a safer and gentler method compared to traditional power washing, and it can reach three stories of a home without the need for a ladder, he said.
Above All Power Washing and Window Washing can be reached via Facebook, Stone related.