Byrne Brings Operation Gift Certificate to Putnam and Westchester Counties

Posted: April 20, 2020 in Business, Community, In the News

​Assemblyman Kevin Byrne (R,C,Ref-Mahopac) is pleased to announce he is partnering with Assemblyman Kieran Lalor (R,C,I-East Fishkill) and other colleagues to expand Operation Gift Certificate to Putnam and Westchester counties. The program encourages New Yorkers to purchase gift certificates from local businesses to use at a later date in order to show support for businesses struggling from the financial fallout due to COVID-19. 

            “Our local businesses have been there for us in years past sponsoring all sorts of local charities and events. Now we need to be there for them,” said Byrne. “Purchasing gift cards is a great way to demonstrate your confidence in local businesses and helps ensure they will be able to open back up after NY on PAUSE has been lifted and the coronavirus is a thing of the past. Our goal is to support as many local businesses as possible during this difficult time.”

​You can find a list of businesses that have already signed up for Operation Gift Certificate at https://opgiftcertificate.wixsite.com/participants.

If you are interested in signing up for the program, please e-mail the following information to byrnek@nyassembly.gov with “Operation Gift Certificate” in the subject line or to Byrne’s Facebook page via a private message.

• Business Name

• Address• Website

• Hours of operation and how you want to be contacted (phone and/or email)

• Take out/delivery options 

“We are all patiently waiting for when it’s safe enough to go sit and have dinner at our favorite restaurant, shop at a small boutique or work out at our local gyms,” said Lalor. “These efforts help ensure that those staples in our community will still be there on the other side of this. The majority of these businesses have the option to purchase a gift certificate right from their website, making investing in our local economy that much easier.

“We are thrilled to get behind innovative, grassroots programs, like Operation Gift Certificate,” said Jennifer Maher, chairwoman of the Putnam County Business Council. “Putnam County businesses are struggling to stay afloat through this health and economic crisis. This program will enable the community to directly support their local restaurants, shops, and service providers when they need it most while also injecting some cash flow into the local economy.”

“On behalf of the Yorktown Chamber of Commerce, it is a pleasure to lend a hand to both Assemblyman Lalor and Assemblyman Byrne regarding our small businesses across Westchester and beyond,” said Sergio Esposito, president of theYorktown Chamber of Commerce. “Operation Gift Certificate is a great idea and will help our small businesses (and their employees) get thru these unprecedented times.  Count me in!”